A recent publication revealed that younger children with acne vulgaris should have similar treatment as those of adolescents, including combination therapies consisting of topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and other nonantibiotic agents in combination with antibiotics.

A first-ever published report to focus on young pediatric patientsgives a direction to the assessment and management of acne in children frombirth to 12 years. The consensus divides pediatric acne into five subgroups: neonatal (birth to ≤8 weeks), infantile (8 weeks to ≤1 year), mid-childhood (1 year to <7 years), preadolescent (≥ 7 to 12 years), and adolescent (≥12 to 19 years). The consensus suggested that acne treatment may include narrow-spectrum antibiotics, avoiding antibiotic monotherapy, and restricting the duration of antibiotic therapy. It is also important to consider whether acne is a sign of an endocrine-associated abnormality, recommends off-label use of topical therapies as appropriate in infants, and underscores the importance of counseling patients and parents about treatments and their outcomes.

Krader CG. Adolescent acne therapies benefit younger children. Dermatology Times. 2020; 41(12).