Calcipotriol and psoriasis in children

A group of 12 patients, aged from 4 to 12 years, with psoriasis vulgaris, were treated with topical calcipotriol. After descaling the psoriatic patches with petrolatum containing 10% salicylic acid for about 1 week, topical calcipotriol was applied to the erythematous infiltrated skin lesions without occlusive dressing twice daily for 4 to 6 weeks. The treatment was well tolerated by all patients except one. Signs of psoriasis resolved after 4 weeks in nine patients and after 6 weeks in two patients. No increased serum calcium or alkaline phosphatase levels nor any increased urine calcium excretion related to the treatment were observed in any patient.