This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

AAP endorses guidelines for managing pediatric acne

The American Academy of Pediatrics has endorsed new evidence-based guidelines for the management of pediatric acne developed by the American Acne and Rosacea Society.

“Although acne is one of the most common skin conditions in children and adolescents, there have not been standard guidelines for the management of pediatric acne, and there is tremendous variation in acne treatment among health care professionals,” Lawrence F. Eichenfield, MD, chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, told Healio.com. “New evidence-based guidelines for pediatric acne … should improve the diagnosis and management of acne and acneiform eruptions from neonates through adolescents.”

Eichenfield, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and an author of the endorsement, also is a member of the American Acne and Rosacea Society (AARS).

Lawrence F. Eichenfield

A panel of pediatric dermatologists, pediatricians and dermatologists, assembled by the AARS, identified 10 topics in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric acne. Articles were identified, reviewed and assessed for evidence grading following a literature search. Two expert previewers were assigned to each topic, and they then developed and presented summaries and recommendations. Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy was used for consensus recommendations for pediatric acne evaluation and management.

Acne classification, diagnosis, evaluation and management, based on age and pubertal status, were recommended. Over-the-counter product usage, topical benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids, topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, hormonal therapy and isotretinoin were treatment considerations. Treatment algorithms and recommendations were classified as adolescent, preadolescent, infantile and neonatal acne. Psychosocial effects, treatment regimen adherence and the role of diet also were discussed.

“I tell my patients that essentially all acne can be wiped out, but that we work to figure out what is the least amount of skin care and medicine we need to do it,” Eichenfield said. “These expert guidelines will help to improve knowledge and management of acne in all age groups.”

Disclosure: See the study for a full list of relevant disclosures.