title: Systemic treatments for severe pediatric psoriasis: a practical approach.
abstract: Severe psoriasis is uncommon in children, but when it occurs, can be physically, emotionally and socially disabling. Systemic treatments such as phototherapy, acitretin, methotrexate and cyclosporine have been used to manage severe pediatric psoriasis for decades. Newer biologic agents have demonstrated their effectiveness in adult psoriasis and are accumulating promising data in children. This article discusses the use of these treatments including their indications, efficacy, adverse effects, and monitoring requirements. The aim is to provide practical, clinically relevant information regarding the use of these medications alone and in various combinations based on available evidence and cumulative experience.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, 700 Welch Road, Suite 301, Stanford, CA 94304, USA.
authors.forename: Ann L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Marqueling
authors.forename: Kelly M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Cordoro
mesh_terms: D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D003879:Dermatologic Agents