Advancing Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis Care: Challenges, Innovations, and Future Directions

Lisa Swanson, MD, FAAD, discusses how pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment challenges include limited approved options, safety concerns, and adherence issues. Effective management requires balancing new therapies like Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors with safety while supporting caregivers through education.

Lisa Swanson, MD, FAAD, discusses how current treatment options for this age group fall short in terms of disease control, safety, and ease of use, while highlighting emerging options that promise better efficacy, fewer side effects, and greater convenience.

Lisa Swanson, MD, FAAD, discusses how caregivers play a crucial role in ensuring successful long-term AD management by providing daily support, monitoring treatment adherence, and offering emotional support, while dermatologists can better support them through education, clear communication, and collaborative care strategies.

Lisa Swanson, MD, FAAD, discusses how factors such as the safety profile, efficacy, age-appropriate dosing, and potential long-term effects of ruxolitinib cream would be crucial in determining its place in treatment for young children.

Lisa Swanson, MD, FAAD, discusses how to balance the need for effective control of Alzheimer's disease symptoms with concerns about long-term safety, particularly when introducing new therapies.

Aaron Farberg, MD, discusses how, when prescribing therapies for pediatric patients, dermatologists prioritize long-term safety alongside efficacy. Topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have demonstrated a favorable safety profile compared with their oral counterparts, with minimal systemic absorption. Appropriate monitoring may include baseline blood work and periodic clinical assessments, particularly in younger children. Effective parent education balances transparent discussion of potential adverse effects with evidence-based reassurance about the therapy’s safety profile.

Aaron Farberg, MD, discuss how JAK inhibitors have come under scrutiny in the past for systemic adverse effects in oral formulations, while exploring the safety data of topical JAK inhibitors in the pediatric population, which appears to show a more favorable risk profile with localized effects.

Aaron Farberg, MD, discuss how appropriate monitoring, including regular assessments of growth, potential side effects, and laboratory tests to evaluate liver function and hematologic parameters, would be necessary when prescribing a topical JAK inhibitor to a younger child (age 2-11 years).

Aaron Farberg, MD, discuss how to educate parents about the potential adverse effects of a new therapy while also reassuring them about its overall safety profile by providing clear, evidence-based information and emphasizing the rigorous testing and monitoring processes.