TOPICAL APPLICATION OF 1,25-DIHYDROXYVITAMIN-D3 (CALCITRIOL) IS AN EFFECTIVE AND RELIABLE THERAPY TO CURE SKIN-LESIONS IN PSORIATIC CHILDREN

We studied, in vivo, the effects of a calcitriol-containing ointment ( 3 mug of calcitriol per gram of petrolatum) topically applied on skin lesions in children affected by psoriasis vulgaris. Each patient was i nstructed to apply the ointment, about 1 g once a day at bedtime follo wed by occlusive dressing with plastic wrap, on one-side lesion (treat ed) and petrolatum alone on the equivalent controlateral site (placebo ) (total weekly dose of calcitriol: approximately 21 mug/patient). Aft er 4 weeks of topical treatment all children showed a complete clearin g of their skin lesions on the treated side, without appreciable chang es on the placebo side. Serum ionised calcium, calcium and calcitriol levels or urinary calcium excretion did not vary significantly through out the period of therapy. These findings suggest that topical calcitr iol may be an effective and safe alternative therapy for psoriasis in children.