TREATMENT OF SEVERE ALOPECIA-AREATA WITH SQUARIC ACID DIBUTYLESTER INPEDIATRIC-PATIENTS

Topical squaric dibutylester (SADBE) is currently used in Europe to tr eat alopecia areata in adults. We attempted to determine this drug's e ffectiveness and convenience in treating children with severe alopecia areata who are psychologically disturbed and resistant to other thera pies. Twenty-eight children under 13 years of age who had extensive an d long-standing alopecia areata and were not responsive to conventiona l therapies were sensitized on the head with 2% SADBE in acetone and t reated with weekly applications for 12 months. Nine patients (32.1%) a chieved complete or cosmetically acceptable regrowth, and another six (21.4%) had significant regrowth. No correlation was found between res ponse and sex, age of onset of illness, extent, duration, or clinical type of disease. In 14 patients followed for a period ranging from 18 months to 8 years SADBE remained efficacious for relapses as well. Thi s study demonstrates that SADBE is a valid and suitable treatment for children, particularly those who are resistant to conventional therapi es.