title: Efficacy and safety of treatments for childhood psoriasis: a systematic literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Evidence-based recommendations for therapeutic decision making in childhood psoriasis are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to systematically review all available literature concerning treatment efficacy and safety in childhood psoriasis and to propose a recommendation for topical and systemic treatment of childhood psoriasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Databases searched were PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trial Register. All studies reporting on efficacy and safety of all treatment options in childhood psoriasis were obtained and a level of evidence was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Literature search revealed 2649 studies, of which 64 studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority of topical and systemic therapies given in childhood psoriasis are efficacious. Short-term side effects were usually mild; long-term side effects were not described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most conclusions formulated are not based on randomized controlled trials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A rough summary of the proposed algorithm is as follows: first, calcipotriene with/without topical corticosteroids, followed by dithranol. Methotrexate is considered to be the systemic treatment of choice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. M.deJager@derma.umcn.nl
authors.forename: Michelle E A
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: de Jager
authors.forename: Elke M G J
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: Peter C M
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: van de Kerkhof
authors.forename: Marieke M B
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Seyger
mesh_terms: D000875:Anthralin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; C055085:calcipotriene; D002117:Calcitriol; D000875:Anthralin; D008727:Methotrexate