The Latest in Research
June 2003
Parents Stressed over Children’s Hemangiomas
A recent study reported that the parents of children with hemangiomas are more likely to experience emotional and psychological distress over their child’s condition than the children themselves. The results, reported in The Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery , were based on a survey of 39 children who were treated for hemangiomas. The study evaluated the parents’ and children’s emotional attitudes regarding the hemangiomas and their treatment. The hemangiomas were present between birth and 8 weeks old in the 39 children. The children were first taken to the Vascular Birthmarks Clinic in Latham, NY, between the ages of 2 weeks and 144 weeks by their parents for an initial consultation about possible treatments the hemangiomas.
The survey found that there was a negative effect on the child’s family, with considerable fear due to comments by others made in public. Parents said they believed their child wasn’t deeply affected by his or her condition or by its treatment, which includes laser, corticosteroids, surgery or a combination). But, most said that their children were too young to realize their condition, which commonly disappears by school age. According to the researchers, the survey showed that parents bear the brunt of the psychological distress of this condition.
Hemangiomas are the most common vascular lesions of infancy and childhood, affecting an estimated 1% to 3% of all newborns and 10% of infants by the age of 1 year. Most (60%) occur on the head and neck, 20% of these patients have more than one hemangioma.
— The Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, May/June 2003
Using Pimecrolimus Cream to
Treat Infants with Atopic Dermatitis
Infants who suffer from atopic dermatitis may not have the accessibility to some types of treatment that adult sufferers are offered. In a February report published in the Journal of Pediatrics, researchers found pimecrolimus cream 1% (Elidel) to be a safe and effective treatment for eczema in infants, giving hope to many parents. The study included 186 infants ranging from 3 to 23 months old. The randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study followed infants who had been diagnosed with mild to moderate eczema on at least 5% of their total body surface for an initial 6 weeks of treatment. While 123 infants received Elidel, 63 infants received the vehicle cream twice a day approximately 12 hours apart. The 6-week, double blind, initial study was followed by a 20-week open label study where the infants from the vehicle group were permitted to switch to Elidel. The results of the 6-week phase demonstrated that 54.5% of infants using Elidel were clear or almost clear of atopic dermatitis versus the vehicle group that experienced 23.8% clearing. Improvements were noted on day 8 of the follow-up visit and statistically significant differences were observed between the groups on day 15. The study noted that efficacy was maintained throughout the double-blind phase and the open-label study. The researchers noted that Elidel did not produce sensitization, phototoxicity, photoallergy, cumulative irritation or atrophy of the skin.
—Journal of Pediatrics, February 2003
Parents Stressed over Children’s Hemangiomas
A recent study reported that the parents of children with hemangiomas are more likely to experience emotional and psychological distress over their child’s condition than the children themselves. The results, reported in The Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery , were based on a survey of 39 children who were treated for hemangiomas. The study evaluated the parents’ and children’s emotional attitudes regarding the hemangiomas and their treatment. The hemangiomas were present between birth and 8 weeks old in the 39 children. The children were first taken to the Vascular Birthmarks Clinic in Latham, NY, between the ages of 2 weeks and 144 weeks by their parents for an initial consultation about possible treatments the hemangiomas.
The survey found that there was a negative effect on the child’s family, with considerable fear due to comments by others made in public. Parents said they believed their child wasn’t deeply affected by his or her condition or by its treatment, which includes laser, corticosteroids, surgery or a combination). But, most said that their children were too young to realize their condition, which commonly disappears by school age. According to the researchers, the survey showed that parents bear the brunt of the psychological distress of this condition.
Hemangiomas are the most common vascular lesions of infancy and childhood, affecting an estimated 1% to 3% of all newborns and 10% of infants by the age of 1 year. Most (60%) occur on the head and neck, 20% of these patients have more than one hemangioma.
— The Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, May/June 2003
Using Pimecrolimus Cream to
Treat Infants with Atopic Dermatitis
Infants who suffer from atopic dermatitis may not have the accessibility to some types of treatment that adult sufferers are offered. In a February report published in the Journal of Pediatrics, researchers found pimecrolimus cream 1% (Elidel) to be a safe and effective treatment for eczema in infants, giving hope to many parents. The study included 186 infants ranging from 3 to 23 months old. The randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study followed infants who had been diagnosed with mild to moderate eczema on at least 5% of their total body surface for an initial 6 weeks of treatment. While 123 infants received Elidel, 63 infants received the vehicle cream twice a day approximately 12 hours apart. The 6-week, double blind, initial study was followed by a 20-week open label study where the infants from the vehicle group were permitted to switch to Elidel. The results of the 6-week phase demonstrated that 54.5% of infants using Elidel were clear or almost clear of atopic dermatitis versus the vehicle group that experienced 23.8% clearing. Improvements were noted on day 8 of the follow-up visit and statistically significant differences were observed between the groups on day 15. The study noted that efficacy was maintained throughout the double-blind phase and the open-label study. The researchers noted that Elidel did not produce sensitization, phototoxicity, photoallergy, cumulative irritation or atrophy of the skin.
—Journal of Pediatrics, February 2003
Parents Stressed over Children’s Hemangiomas
A recent study reported that the parents of children with hemangiomas are more likely to experience emotional and psychological distress over their child’s condition than the children themselves. The results, reported in The Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery , were based on a survey of 39 children who were treated for hemangiomas. The study evaluated the parents’ and children’s emotional attitudes regarding the hemangiomas and their treatment. The hemangiomas were present between birth and 8 weeks old in the 39 children. The children were first taken to the Vascular Birthmarks Clinic in Latham, NY, between the ages of 2 weeks and 144 weeks by their parents for an initial consultation about possible treatments the hemangiomas.
The survey found that there was a negative effect on the child’s family, with considerable fear due to comments by others made in public. Parents said they believed their child wasn’t deeply affected by his or her condition or by its treatment, which includes laser, corticosteroids, surgery or a combination). But, most said that their children were too young to realize their condition, which commonly disappears by school age. According to the researchers, the survey showed that parents bear the brunt of the psychological distress of this condition.
Hemangiomas are the most common vascular lesions of infancy and childhood, affecting an estimated 1% to 3% of all newborns and 10% of infants by the age of 1 year. Most (60%) occur on the head and neck, 20% of these patients have more than one hemangioma.
— The Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, May/June 2003
Using Pimecrolimus Cream to
Treat Infants with Atopic Dermatitis
Infants who suffer from atopic dermatitis may not have the accessibility to some types of treatment that adult sufferers are offered. In a February report published in the Journal of Pediatrics, researchers found pimecrolimus cream 1% (Elidel) to be a safe and effective treatment for eczema in infants, giving hope to many parents. The study included 186 infants ranging from 3 to 23 months old. The randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study followed infants who had been diagnosed with mild to moderate eczema on at least 5% of their total body surface for an initial 6 weeks of treatment. While 123 infants received Elidel, 63 infants received the vehicle cream twice a day approximately 12 hours apart. The 6-week, double blind, initial study was followed by a 20-week open label study where the infants from the vehicle group were permitted to switch to Elidel. The results of the 6-week phase demonstrated that 54.5% of infants using Elidel were clear or almost clear of atopic dermatitis versus the vehicle group that experienced 23.8% clearing. Improvements were noted on day 8 of the follow-up visit and statistically significant differences were observed between the groups on day 15. The study noted that efficacy was maintained throughout the double-blind phase and the open-label study. The researchers noted that Elidel did not produce sensitization, phototoxicity, photoallergy, cumulative irritation or atrophy of the skin.
—Journal of Pediatrics, February 2003
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