Points of Discussion is a podcast series presenting dynamic and spirited discussions on high-priority topics related to the research being done in each of PeDRA’s Focused Study Groups. Each Focused Study Group will host a miniseries of three podcasts that includes two expert guests presenting opposing positions on one high-priority or controversial topic in their focus area (episodes 1 and 2). This will be followed by a moderated discussion between the two guests in episode 3. In some cases, podcasts will be recorded live with the option for audience members to ask questions. Subscribe to the PeDRA’s Pearls podcast channel and never miss an episode.
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Points of Discussion – The Use of Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Congenital Melanocytic Nevi in Children
Presented by the Birthmarks Focused Study Group
Featuring: Rox Anderson, MD, Yakir Levin, MD, PhD, and Ilona Frieden, MD, and Elena Hawryluk, MD, PhD
Episode One: An Overview
Dr. Rox Anderson and Dr. Yakir Levin share their expert opinions on the benefits and challenges of laser therapy for the treatment of pediatric CMN.
Episode Two: Monitoring
Dr. Ilona Frieden shares her thoughts in favor of monitoring and the use of other interventions before laser therapy in the treatment of pediatric CMN.
Episode Three: A Discussion
All three expert guests answer questions from the trainee studio audience to shed light on what is still unknown about the treatment of pediatric CMN.
Rox Anderson, MD
Director of the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, the Lancer Endowed Chair in Dermatology, Professor of Dermatology, and Professor of Health Sciences and Technology at Harvard Medical School
Ilona Frieden, MD
Pediatric Dermatologist and Professor of Dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco
Founding member of PeDRA, 2020-2022 PeDRA President
Yakir Levin, MD, PhD
Dermatologist and Instructor at Harvard Medical School Department of Dermatology, working at Massachusetts General Hospital, and an investigator at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine.
Elena Hawryluk, MD, PhD
Pediatric Dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital, an Associate Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School, and the Faculty Director of Pediatric Dermatology for the Harvard Combined Dermatology Residency Program
Point of Discussion – Should Pediatric Hidradenitis Suppurativa be Treated Aggressively?
Presented by the Acne/Hidradenitis Suppurativa Focused Study Group
Featuring Irene Lara-Corrales, MD, MSc, A. Yasmine Kirkorian, MD, and Israel Andrews, MD, FAAD
Episode One: Non-Aggressive Options for Pediatric HS
Dr. Irene Lara-Corrales and Dr. Yasmine Kirkorian discuss non-aggressive treatment options available to pediatric patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) and how difficult it can be to quantify just exactly what it means when providers recommend “lifestyle” changes to help treat this devastating inflammatory skin disease.
Episode Two: Aggressive Options for Pediatric HS
Dr. Lara-Corrales and Dr. Izzy Andrews discuss aggressive treatments for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) and highlight the importance of a multi-disciplinary care team to help treat the psychosocial aspects and the physical pain associated with this traumatic disease. Access to care is also a key component in combating HS and it’s critical that more than just pediatric dermatologists have a better understanding of HS before treating patients.
Episode Three: Unanswered Questions in Pediatric HS
The group addresses lingering research questions and stresses the importance of disease education in order to meet the needs of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) patients. Consensus guidelines exist for adult HS but have yet to be written for pediatric HS. The need for early diagnosis is not only critical for disease management but is vital for the overall well-being of patients and their families.
Irene Lara-Corrales, MD, MSc
Moderator
Dr. Lara-Corrales is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto and a staff physician in Pediatric Dermatology at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. She is currently the Pediatric Dermatology Fellowship Director. She also co-directs the Genodermatoses, Epidermolysis Bullosa, Vascular Tumors, and Cafe-au-Lait Screening clinics for Sick Kids.
A. Yasmine Kirkorian, MD
Guest Speaker
Dr. Kirkorian is a practicing dermatologist and Chief of Dermatology at Children’s National Hospital in Washington DC. Her interests and expertise include vascular birthmarks, neonatal dermatology, genetic skin disorders, inflammatory skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis, pigmented lesions (moles), acne and hyperhidrosis (increased sweating). She is an expert in laser and surgical treatments for pediatric dermatology patients. She also serves on PeDRA’s meetings committee.
Israel Andrews, MD, FAAD
Guest Speaker
Dr. Andrews is a practicing pediatric dermatologist at Spectrum Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ. Dr. Andrews initiated North and Central Florida’s first division focused on pediatric cutaneous disease at the University of Florida where he also co-established the state’s first vascular anomalies clinic. He has been heavily involved in research on pediatric psoriasis, vascular malformations and overgrowth syndromes, birthmarks, and pediatric inflammatory dermatoses, including acne and atopic dermatitis.
Points of Discussion – Should Immune Modulators be Prescribed for Skin Diseases in Children with Down Syndrome?
Presented by the Down Syndrome Subgroup
Featuring Jillian Rork, MD, Emily Gurnee, MD, Kristen Holland, MD, and Kishore Vellody, MD
Episode One: An Overview of Skin Diseases in Children with Down Syndrome
Moderated by Jillian Rork, MD, the group discusses the skin conditions in children with Down syndrome that require treatment with immune modulators.
Episode Two: The Pros and Cons of Immune Modulators
The group weighs the pros and cons of using immune modulators, and how to manage concerns and expectations in the exam room with both patients and parents.
Episode Three: Exciting New Research
In this final episode, the group discusses current research efforts and the research that is still needed to better understand the long-term-use effects of immune modulators, and how to approach conversations about using these medications with both patients and families.
If you are interested in or have patients you would like to enroll in the University of Colorado Immune Skin Conditions Clinical Trial, please click here for more information.
Jillian Rork, MD
Moderator
Dr. Rork is a pediatric dermatologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics at Geisel School of Medicine. She is the founder and co-chair of PeDRA’s Down syndrome-focused study group. She has a monthly Down syndrome Dermatology Clinic at Dartmouth-Hitchcock where she sees both children and adults with Down syndrome. She has given many national lectures and podcasts to improve education and awareness of skin care in people with Down syndrome.
Kristen Holland, MD
Guest Speaker
Dr. Holland is an Associate Professor of Pediatric Dermatology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She leads departmental research for pediatric patients with psoriasis and serves as principal investigator for several pharmaceutical trials. She has developed a clinical trials program focusing on inflammatory skin diseases like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. She has been an active collaborator with both the Hemangioma Investigator Group and the PeDRA focusing on infantile hemangiomas and inflammatory skin disease, specifically psoriasis. She also co-chairs PeDRA’s Down Syndrome Focused Study Group.
Emily Gurnee, MD
Guest Speaker
Dr. Gurnee is a Pediatric Dermatologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Colorado and serves on PeDRA’s early investigator committee and several PeDRA study groups. She was also the recipient of the 2020 Weston Career Development award for her project titled: Investigating the role of staphylococci in Pediatric Skin Disease.
Kishore Vellody, MD
Guest Speaker
Dr. Vellody is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and has been on the faculty since 2005. He is the Medical Director of the Down Syndrome Center of Western Pennsylvania. Dr. Vellody is also the Immediate Past President of the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) and is Co-chair of the NDSC Professional Advisory Council. Dr. Vellody became a pediatrician in large part because of his relationship with his older brother, Das, who is smart, funny, caring, . . . and also has Down syndrome.
Points of Discussion – Should JAK Inhibitors be Considered for First-Line Therapy in the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Children?
Presented by the Atopic Dermatitis/Psoriasis Focused Study Group
Featuring Amy Paller, MD, Elaine Siegfried, MD, A. Yasmine Kirkorian, MD, and Jeff Yu, MD
Episode One: JAK Inhibitors versus Traditional Therapies
Moderated by Minnelly Luu, MD, the group discusses whether or not they would prescribe oral JAK inhibitors over traditional therapies for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in children. They discuss the cases in which they have done so and why.
Episode Two: JAK Inhibitors versus Biologics
The group weighs the pros and cons of these treatment options and discusses whether or not they would use them together in severe cases of atopic dermatitis in children. They also highlight the importance of considering overall patient emotional and mental health when looking at these different treatment options.
Episode Three: Identifying Research Gaps
In this final episode, the group discusses what research is still needed to better understand the risks and benefits of JAK inhibitors for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in children.
Minnelly Luu, MD
Moderator
Dr. Luu is a practicing pediatric dermatologist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She’s the co-director of the Vascular Anomalies Center and is an Associate Professor of Clinical Dermatology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. She is also the co-chair for PeDRA Atopic Dermatitis/Psoriasis focused study group.
Amy Paller, MD
Guest Speaker
Dr. Paller is the Chair of the Department of Dermatology, Walter J. Hamlin Professor of Dermatology and Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern Fienberg School of Medicine. She is also a co-founding member of PeDRA and co-chair for PeDRA’s Atopic Dermatitis/Psoriasis focused study group.
Elaine Siegfried, MD
Guest Speaker
Dr. Siegfried is a pediatric dermatologist, professor of pediatrics and dermatology at St. Louis University School of Medicine. She is also a co-founding member of PeDRA and currently serves on PeDRA’s nominating committee.
A. Yasmine Kirkorian
Guest Speaker
Dr. Kirkorian is a practicing dermatologist and Chief of Dermatology at Children’s National Hospital in Washington DC. She also serves on PeDRA’s meetings committee.
Jeff Yu, MD
Guest Speaker
Dr. Yu is a pediatric dermatologist, director of contact and occupational dermatology, and assistant professor of adult and pediatric dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Yu also serves on several PeDRA committees.
Points of Discussion – Is Sunscreen Safe in Infants under Six Months
Presented by the Neonatal Focused Study Group
Featuring Jennifer Schoch, MD, FAAD, Irene Lara-Corrales, MD, MSc, and Jeannette Jakus, MD
Episode One: Considerations Against Sunscreen Use
Dr. Irene Lara-Corrales discusses reasons to be cautious when using sunscreen in children under the age of 6 months. She highlights the research gaps in the infant skin barrier and the effects sunscreen may have on such young skin. She also outlines alternatives to sunscreen use by discussing sun-protective clothing.
Episode Two: Considerations in Favor of Sunscreen Use
Dr. Jeannette Jakus presents an argument in favor of sunscreen use in infants under 6 months. She discusses the safety of zinc oxide in diaper creams and how that same ingredient is used in sunscreen. She shares the importance of clear messaging and the need for a consensus on how sunscreen recommendations are presented to parents.
Episode Three: A Discussion
Dr. Jakus and Dr. Lara-Corrales come together to share their thoughts on the research needed to safely recommend sunscreen use in children under the age of 6 months. They discuss how to manage the fine line of promoting limited sun exposure, while also recommending sunscreen.
Jennifer Schoch, MD, FAAD
Program Host
Dr. Schoch is an Associate Professor of Dermatology as the University of Florida. She is also the Chair for the Department of Education and the Assistant Director for the Residency Program. She has received research funding from the Society of Pediatric Dermatology, the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance, and is a current NIH KL2 scholar. She is also the Chair of PeDRA’s Neonatal Focused Study Group.
Jeannette Jakus, MD
Program Guest
Dr. Jakus is board-certified in Pediatrics, Dermatology and Pediatric Dermatology and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. Dr. Jakus also heads the clinical trial unit for the Department of Dermatology at SUNY and has been an active member of PEDRA since its founding.
Irene Lara-Corrales, MD
Program Guest
Dr. Lara-Corrales is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto and a staff physician in Pediatric Dermatology at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. She is currently the Pediatric Dermatology Fellowship Director. She also co-directs the Genodermatoses, Epidermolysis Bullosa, Vascular Tumors, and Cafe-au-Lait Screening clinics for Sick Kids.
Points of Discussion – Is iPledge Working?: A Conversation on Risk Management and Isotretinoin
Presented by the Acne and Hidradenitis Suppurativa Focused Study Group
Episode One: A History of iPledge with Dr. Jill Lindstrom
In the first episode of this three-part miniseries, Is IPLEDGE Working? A Conversation on Risk Management and Isotretinoin, Dr. Leah Lalor talks about the program’s history with Dr. Jill Lindstrom. Listen as Dr. Lindstorm shares important information on the evolution of this REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program for isotretinoin and how the program was molded into what it is today.
Episode Two: iPledge in the Clinic with Dr. Ilona Frieden
In episode two of three, Dr. Ilona Frieden outlines the challenges providers and patients face with the iPledge program. Listen as Dr. Frieden raises important, thought-provoking issues like how the program impacts those who are not able to become pregnant and perpetuates health care access disparities.
Episode Three: Working towards a Better iPledge
In this final episode, Dr. Lindstrom and Dr. Frieden discuss the value of the program and changes that could be made to better serve patients and still protect the original aim of the program. Listen to learn more about how transparency might just be the key to achieving both the program goals, as well as supporting all patients fairly and safely.
Leah Lalor, MD
Program Host
Dr. Lalor is a practicing pediatric dermatologist at the Medical College of Wisconsin and is Vice Chair of PeDRA’s Acne/HS Focused Study Group.
Jill Lindstrom, MD
Program Guest
Dr. Lindstrom is a practicing dermatologist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. She was previously the Deputy Director of the Division of Dermatology and Dental Products at FDA, where she worked for 17 years.
Ilona Frieden, MD
Program Guest
Dr. Ilona Frieden is a pediatric dermatologist and Professor of Dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco. She is the President of the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance and co-chair of the American Academy of Dermatology Association iPledge Workgroup.
Subscribe to the PeDRA’s Pearls podcast channel and never miss an episode.
Special thanks to AbbVie Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, and Sanofi Genzyme and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals for their support of this independent medical education program. PeDRA is solely responsible for all program content and the selection of all presenters, authors, moderators, and faculty.