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Phototherapy and photochemotherapy in children - our experience

Background: Phototherapy and photochemotherapy have for decades been very successfully used in the treatment of vulgar psoriasis in adults. Numerous study reports confirm their effect in adults, whereas only few publications describe their use and effects in children. Objectives: The objective is to present our experience in treating psoriasis in children with phototherapy and photochemotherapy. Methods: Only narrow band UVB (311 nm) and PUVA-bath are used in children. With the advent of narrow-spectrum phototherapy emitting UVB wavelengths of 311 (±1) nm and PUVA-baths, the use of phototherapy in pediatric patients has become safer and more efficient, while being associated with a lower erythemogenic potential and longer period of remission. Depending on the diagnosis, 8-methoxypsoralen in PUVA-bath therapy is applied either in full or partial bath. The risk of skin cancer increases with the cumulative dosage of UVB radiation received during lifetime. Therefore, it is of great importance to make an accurate indication for phototherapy in childhood, along with strict follow up of the cumulative UVB dosage administered. Results: We present our experience and data acquired in the treatment of psoriasis in children with phototherapy and photochemotherapy in the last 10 years. Conclusion: Phototherapy and PUVA-bath are valuable and safe therapeutic options for selected children not responding to other treatments. In spite of the ever growing fear from UV exposure, even for therapeutic purpose, we believe that phototherapy and photochemotherapy will for quite a while remain one of the modalities in rotation therapy of psoriasis in children.

phototherapy; photochemotherapy; children; psoriasis; rotation therapy

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