Efficacy and Safety of Targeted High-Intensity Medium-Band (304-312 nm) Ultraviolet B Light in Pediatric Vitiligo.
OBJECTIVE
Phototherapy is a commonly used treatment for vitiligo that has demonstrated safety and efficacy. High-intensity targeted ultraviolet B (UVB) light (304-312 nm) delivered using a phototherapy device is a useful therapeutic option because it can induce repigmentation in a short time without global exposure to radiation, but information regarding this device in children is limited.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective analysis of 95 patches of vitiligo in 27 children treated using a targeted phototherapy device. Phototherapy was administered twice a week.


RESULTS
After the first 10 treatment sessions, 82 (86.3%) patches demonstrated some repigmentation and 36.8% achieved 50% or more repigmentation. After a mean of 20.4 treatment sessions, 86 patches (90%) demonstrated some repigmentation and 53.7% achieved 50% or more repigmentation. Responses varied depending on the anatomic location of the lesions. Better responses were usually observed on the face and trunk, whereas the extremities typically showed little response. Repigmentation was better in patients with active vitiligo than in those with stable vitiligo, with responses better with a disease duration of 1 year or less than in those with a duration of more than 1 year. There was no statistically significant difference in repigmentation between those with segmental and generalized vitiligo. The only short-term local side effect was mild erythema that required a decrease in dosage in six patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Targeted high-intensity medium-band UVB phototherapy alone can produce clinical improvement in pediatric vitiligo and is well tolerated.
Department of Dermatology, Wuxi Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
Da-Ke
DK
Dong
Department of Dermatology, Ren ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China.
Zhan-Yan
ZY
Pan
Department of Dermatology, Wuxi Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
Juan
J
Zhang
Department of Dermatology, Wuxi Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
Xue-Fen
XF
Lu
Department of Dermatology, Wuxi Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
Cheng
C
Jin
Department of Dermatology, Wuxi Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
Shi-Qin
SQ
Tao
Department of Dermatology, Wuxi Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
Li-Jia
LJ
Yang
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000532:radiotherapy*