New therapies in pediatric dermatology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There have been many new developments in therapeutic modalities for the treatment of pediatric dermatological diseases in the past year. Advances in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, infantile hemangiomas and dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa will be discussed. The following review will update the reader on these exciting new possibilities for patient care and future directions for research to improve the lives of children suffering from skin diseases. RECENT FINDINGS: This review will discuss recent articles describing the use of topical tacrolimus for maintenance of remission in atopic dermatitis, utility of nurse educators in atopic dermatitis, safety and efficacy of etanercept for the treatment of psoriasis in children, narrow band ultraviolet B phototherapy for atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, use of topical timolol for infantile hemangiomas and bone marrow transplantation for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. SUMMARY: There are many new interesting, potentially useful therapeutic modalities emerging in pediatric dermatology. New treatments for atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, infantile hemangiomas and dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa are reviewed.