title: A practical approach for the use of oral isotretinoin for infantile acne.
abstract: Infantile acne is a rare occurrence. It is more common in boys and predominately occurs on the cheeks in infants between the ages of 1 and 16 months. Clinically, the lesions range from comedones to inflammatory papulopustules to cysts. Successful therapies include topical tretinoin, benzoyl peroxide and topical and oral erythromycin. For more serious cases, oral isotretinoin (Accutane) has been reported to successfully treat recalcitrant infantile cystic acne. We describe two additional patients with infantile cystic acne treated successfully with oral isotretinoin. The dose of isotretinoin used ranged from 0.2 mg/kg/day to 1.5 mg/kg/day. The treatment duration varied from 5 to 14 months. Careful monthly monitoring is recommended because of the many side effects reported with isotretinoin. Practical tips for the administration of oral isotretinoin in infants are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Dermatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California 92123, USA.
authors.forename: Cheryl J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: Lawrence F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Eichenfield
authors.forename: Jungho
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Bari B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Cunningham
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000284:Administration, Oral; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D015474:Isotretinoin