ICYMI: Highlights From SPD 2024

At the Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD) Annual Meeting, expert research and interviews spoke to the importance of treating younger patients who have dermatologic skin conditions that include atopic dermatitis (AD) and vitiligo. The conference focused on advancing pediatric dermatology care through education, emerging therapies, patient advocacy, and combating misinformation. Common themes in our SPD meeting highlights are the power of education, collaboration, and technology to ensure evidence-based care and improve trust in dermatological treatments.

You can also catch up on all of our conference coverage on our dedicated SPD page.

5. Ways to Use Nonsteroidal Topical Therapies in the Treatment of Skin Conditions

Nnenna G. Agim, MD, FAAD, North Dallas Dermatology Associates, presented on the advantages of using topical treatment in pediatric patients. She highlighted the growing availability of these therapies, emphasizing treatment challenges for these patients that include off-label use, adherence, and high treatment costs, while simultaneously noting the benefits of topical treatment, such as their ease of use and reversibility should there be adverse reactions. The emerging therapies roflumilast, ruxolitinib, and clascoterone, were reviewed, including their roles in flexible care and the potential for improved affordability with market competition.

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4. Ruxolitinib Cream Dose Safe, Effective in Children With Atopic Dermatitis, Vitiligo

Phase 3 trial findings presented at the conference demonstrated the safety and efficacy of 1.5% ruxolitinib cream for treating AD in children aged 2 to 11 years and vitiligo in adolescents 12 years and older. In the TRuE-AD3 study, the hematologic safety of the cream applied twice per day in children with mild to moderate AD was evaluated and no clinically meaningful changes were seen. In the TRuE-V1 and TRuE-V2 phase 3 studies, investigators saw significant repigmentation after twice-daily application of the cream up through 52 weeks.

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At the Society for Pediatric Dermatology Annual Meeting, expert research and interviews spoke to the importance of advancing pediatric dermatology care through education, emerging therapies, patient advocacy, and combating misinformation. | Image Credit: © SPD

3. Rebecca Flynn Notes How NPs, APPs Can Improve Triage Systems in Pediatric Dermatology Clinics

Flynn, a nurse practitioner (NP) at Children’s Mercy Kansas City Dermatology, emphasized the critical roles of education and collaboration between advanced practice providers (APPs) and nurses when working to improve triage systems for pediatric dermatology patients. She highlighted the development of digital tools for their ability to provide accessible resources for primary care providers and to enhance education efforts, and advised aspiring pediatric NPs to seek specialty rotations, shadowing opportunities, and professional networking to build their expertise. Overall, this interview underscored the value of education and mentorship in advancing patient care and professional development in the field of pediatric dermatology.

Watch this interview.

2. Nichole Halliburton: The Roles of Patient Education, Caregivers, and Technology in Improving Dermatology Care

The second interview on our top 5 list explored the effects of tailored patient education and outreach programs at empowering patients to proactively manage their dermatologic health. Halliburton, a family NP, presented the session, “Facilitating Improvements in Health Care Access for Patients With Dermatologic Needs,” and in this interview she addressed the power of both education and technology to reach a wider patient population who may have limited access to dermatologic services. She also explored why it’s important that caregivers and families of patients advocate for their children.

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1. Combating Major Sources of Misinformation in Pediatric Dermatology: Timothy Caulfield

As professor in the Faculty of Law in the School of Public Health and research director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta, Caulfield discussed common misconceptions that many parents and caregivers of pediatric patients hold about pediatric dermatological conditions. He addressed the real harm that can be caused by such beliefs as sunscreen causing cancer and that children need to be using antiaging creams, and the need for clinicians to ask about other health-related behaviors, such as diet and where patients get their information from. According to Caulfield, one of the primary sources of misinformation is TikTok, which is heavily influential in shaping perceptions and behaviors among children, adolescents, and parents.

Watch this interview.