Treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) remains a challenge in children and adolescents due to its complicated pathophysiology. As an earlier onset is associated with an increased risk of persistent disease, powerful medications that relieve the disease burden become essential to children’s growth and development.
On 15th March 2024, The Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong organised a scientific symposium on atopic dermatitis at the Prince of Wales Hospital and invited Dr. Michele Ramien to give a lecture on AD management titled “Current Landscape for Paediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis under 12 years: Worldwide and in Canada”. Dr. Ramien is a Clinical Associate Professor at The University of Calgary and the President of the Canadian Dermatology Association.
Dr. Ramien began the lecture by introducing factors associated with persistent disease and the development of atopic comorbidities, after which she illustrated the severity of AD’s health burden and emphasised the need for effective treatment with some clinical cases. Then, she explained the pathogenesis of AD and, in particular, the roles of IL-4 and IL-13 in skin barrier dysfunction.
For the central part of the presentation, she presented a holistic landscape of the available AD treatment together with some potential molecules undergoing clinical trials and extended the discussion with clinical data involving the use of dupilumab in children, as well as other approved therapies. Finally, Dr. Ramien wrapped up the presentation with a condensed summary and a fruitful Q&A session.
Moderator:
Prof. Ting Fan Leung
Professor, Department of Paediatrics,
Faculty of Medicine,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Speaker:
Dr. Michele Ramien
Clinical Associate Professor, Pediatrics & Medicine, The University of Calgary, Canada;
President, Canadian Dermatology Association
