EXPERIENCE WITH UVB PHOTOTHERAPY IN CHILDREN

Twenty children age 14 months to 12 years with photoresponsive dermato ses were treated with ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy over four years . Ten children had psoriasis, five had pityriasis lichenoides, and fiv e had atopic dermatitis. All received short courses (average 34 treatm ents) of phototherapy with either no maintenance or short maintenance. Treatment was effective and well tolerated in most patients, and no s erious side effects were seen. patients with psoriasis and pityriasis lichenoides cleared completely. No patient with atopic dermatitis clea red completely, but all were moderately improved, with reduction of th e extent of eczema and decreased pruritus. It appears that UVB phototh erapy is a valuable and safe therapeutic option for selected children who do not respond to other treatments.