Pediatric Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Epidemiology, Disease Presentation, and Treatments.

INTRODUCTION Data on pediatric HS presentation and response to treatment are limited. We investigated disease characteristics, prescribed treatments, and treatment responses in a pediatric HS cohort. METHODS Pediatric HS patients were identified through an electronic medical record search using ICD9/10 codes for HS. Inclusion criteria included a diagnosis of HS before 18 years of age. Data on demographics, disease presentation, and treatment was collected. RESULTS 73 patients (59 female, 14 male) were identified. Mean age of symptom onset was 12.6 +/- 2.9 years (range 6-17). Axillary involvement disproportionately affected males (92.9% v 62.7%, p = 0.029), while females had higher groin (59.3% v 28.6%, p = 0.038) involvement. Non-White patients trended toward disproportionately presenting with Hurley-2/3 disease (44.1% v 21.1%, p = 0.093), while females trended toward having a younger age of symptom onset (12.3 v 13.9, p = 0.063), and higher likelihood of HS treatment (93.2% v 78.6%, p = 0.094). The most frequently prescribed treatments were topical clindamycin (61.6%), doxycycline (35.6%), and benzoyl peroxide wash (31.5%). CONCLUSIONS Pediatric HS patients have varied presentations and response to treatment. Further studies are needed to characterize the disease and the most effective treatments.