Pityriasis Lichenoides: Evaluating Factors Affecting Outcomes in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pityriasis lichenoides (PL) is a rare cutaneous disorder than occurs in all age groups with a predominance in pediatric patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical features of PL and treatment options affecting disease outcome in pediatric patients at our institution. METHODS: The records of 28 pediatric patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PL were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The median age at presentation of PL was 92 months (range: 12-192 months). Twenty-six patients elected to start antibiotic therapy, with only 23.1% responding well. Thirteen patients in the cohort agreed to methotrexate therapy, which offered a 100% response rate. The median duration of all forms of PL was 36 months (range: 12-144 months). CONCLUSION: PL and its subtypes require additional studies to determine pathogenesis to drive treatment choice. Antibiotics appear to be a safe choice as the first-line therapy. The usage of methotrexate shows excellent results in the treatment of PL.