Efficacy and safety of conventional versus daylight photodynamic therapy in children affected by multiple facial flat warts.

Abstract Background facial flat warts (FFWs) are a superficial viral skin disease, extremely common in childhood. Recently, conventional photodynamic therapy (C-PDT) has been used for the treatment of FFWs with good outcome. The efficacy of daylight photodynamic therapy (DL-PDT) has not yet been evaluated. Objectives to investigate and assess the efficacy and safety of C-PDT versus DL-PDT using 10% aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in the treatment of recalcitrant FFWs in a paediatric setting. Materials and Methods 30 consecutive patients aged Results at T4 and T8 no excellent response was achieved in both groups. At week 12, excellent response was observed in 53.3% of group A patients vs 0% of group B patients, although in the latter 66.7% of patients achieved a very good response. Excellent outcome raised to 73.3% and 80% in group A and B, respectively, at week 24. Poor response to therapy was observed in 26.7% of patients in group A and 20% in group B. Both treatment modalities were well tolerated, with transient pain, irritation and hyperpigmentation as main side effects. Conclusions ALA-PDT is effective and safe for FFWs, with striking cosmetic results and no recurrence. Compared with conventional modality, DL-PDT is better tolerated, time-saving, nearly painless and greatly appreciated by young patients.