Advances in the diagnosis, management and outcomes of Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases in children

The incidence of immune-mediated skin diseases in children, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, and alopecia areata, is gradually increasing. These conditions impose a significant healthcare burden and affect the quality of life. These disorders often present as erythema, plaques, scaling, depigmentation or alopecia, and may be accompanied by severe itching or pain. Comorbidities with other atopic manifestations and autoimmune diseases can ultimately affect growth development and mental health. Despite considering genetics, environmental factors, and immune dysregulation, the exact etiology is unclear. Fortunately, recent advances in understanding the specific intracellular molecular pathways have allowed the development of precise biological molecules, targeted immune-related mediators, and interventions to arrest the pathogenic pathways of skin diseases. Hence, biologics targeting IgE, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 and specific inhibitors of Jak, PDE4 or other pathways, have been introduced into the care of children with the aforementioned diseases recently, although few are currently approved for children. This Research Topic focuses on the latest and most authoritative advancements relating to immune-mediated skin disorders, aiming to help pediatricians and dermatologists update their knowledge on pathogenesis, indications, efficacy, and safety of new therapies. This section is very practical and should allow the personalization of medical care through future collaboration between pediatricians and dermatologists.

The overall goal of this Research Topic is to provide a comprehensive, cutting-edge collection of research focusing on immune-mediated skin diseases in children. The specific objectives are:
• To explore high-quality evidence on indications, efficacy, and safety of new targeted treatment options for children with immune-mediated skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, alopecia areata, and others.
• To describe the clinical features, prognosis, psychological or economic burdens of these immune-mediated skin diseases in children as distinct to the impacts in adultss.
• To investigate recent advancements in genetics, immunology, or pathogenesis of these immune-mediated skin diseases in children.
• To provide new guidelines for the management of children with immune-mediated skin diseases.
• To describe interesting cases of children with immune-mediated skin diseases providing novel insights into pathophysiology, treatment options, and/or outcomes.
• To characterize the spectrum and risks associated with comorbidities in pediatric immune-dermatological disorders, and to contrast with those in adults.

Diseases of interest may include atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, alopecia areata, lupus erythematosus, juvenile dermatomyositis, chronic urticaria, lichen planus, or hidradenitis suppurativa.

Specific themes may include epidemiological investigation, new therapeutic targeted treatment options, pathophysiological mechanisms, management guidelines, and interesting cases.

Desired manuscript types: original research, narrative reviews, systematic reviews, case reports, and case series.

Keywords: immune-mediated skin disease, pediatrics, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, treatment

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.