[Children and adolescents with psoriasis. What therapy is recommended?]

Abstract

Juvenile psoriasis shows a cumulative incidence of 1.76% until the 18th year of life and thus is important for both pediatricians and dermatologists. In contrast to psoriasis in adults, the main trigger factors are infections, mechanical trauma and stress factors and to a much lesser extent medical and recreational drugs. Apart from the classical predilection sites, the diaper area, scalp and face are mainly involved. Guttate psoriasis following streptococcal infections is a specific clinical manifestation in childhood and adolescence. Psoriasis arthritis of childhood falls into the group of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and typically presents before or simultaneously with skin symptoms. All recommended childhood vaccinations should be administered, ideally when the disease is under remission. Therapy relies heavily on topical agents like dithranol, corticosteroids, and alternatively topical calcineurin inhibitors in addition to individually adapted skin moisturizing measures. In severe cases which do not adequately respond to topical therapy, systemic treatment with classical immunomodulatory agents like methotrexate, cyclosporin, retinoids and fumarates may be initiated but all usage is off-label. The only agent licensed for the treatment of psoriasis in patients above the age of 8 years is etanercept if classical treatment has failed. Rehabilitative measures in mountain and seaside areas are reasonable for maintaining improvement and helping patient learn to deal with disease.