title: The use of naltrexone in the management of severe generalized pruritus in biliary atresia: report of a case.
abstract: Generalized pruritus secondary to cholestasis is a difficult dermatologic condition to treat. We present a case of a 17-month-old child with congenital biliary atresia with generalized pruritus refractory to treatment with oral antihistamines, topical steroids, cholestyramine, and rifampin but improved remarkably with the addition of naltrexone. Naltrexone is a well-tolerated medication with little adverse effects. We believe that naltrexone may be an effective adjuvant treatment in the management of cholestatic pruritus in the pediatric population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, California, USA.
authors.forename: Yuchi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Golkar
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001656:Biliary Atresia / Q000150:complications*; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014973:Xanthomatosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000982:Antipruritics; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone