Rapid, Safe, and Tolerable Healing of Pediatric Skin Injuries with Blue Light Therapy: An Observational Case Series

Abstract

Background/objectives: Pediatric skin injuries represent a clinical challenge, especially in cases with complex etiology or with severe pain. Blue light is an emerging technology with potential application in pediatric wound care. The aim of this case series was to describe the clinical use of blue light in pediatric patients with injuries of varying etiologies and mechanisms, and to assess its long-term effectiveness and sustainability in treatment.

Methods: Twelve hospitalized pediatric patients (0-12 years old) with skin injuries were included in this case series. The etiologies of wounds treated with photobiomodulation were incontinence-associated dermatitis, peristomal injuries, and pressure injuries. The injuries were assessed using specific classification tools and pain scales. The wounds were treated every three days using a medical device that emits blue light (410-430 nm). When necessary, wounds were also treated with appropriate dressings.

Results: All injuries responded positively to photobiomodulation therapy and showed a rapid resolution of inflammation. Complete wound resolution was achieved in 11 of 12 cases. The average healing time was 3.7 days. Four injuries achieved resolution with only one application of blue light. Scores from the pain perception scales showed that the blue light treatment was well tolerated by pediatric patients, showing high parental compliance. No side effects or adverse events were observed.

Conclusions: Blue light photobiomodulation proved to be a safe, well-tolerated, and effective technology in the treatment of pediatric skin injuries, with good acceptance by young patients and families. More structured clinical trials would be needed to validate the efficacy of blue light in pediatric injuries.

Keywords: blue light; incontinence-associated dermatitis; medical device-related pressure injuries; moisture-associated skin damage; phobiomodulation; pressure injuries.

Figure 1

GLOBIAD grade 2A IAD in newborn. (A) Initial lesion; (B) healing after 5 days.

Figure 2

pMASD in abdominal ostomy with SACS 2.0 T5. (A) Initial lesion; (B) lesion after 6 days.

Figure 3

MDRPI on the calcaneus formed after the cast removal. (A) Initial lesion; (B) ulcerative area with hypergranulation tissue; (C) healing after 13 days.

Figure 4

PI in 12-year-old boy hospitalized for respiratory failure and respiratory infection. (A) Initial lesion; (B) healing after 5 days.