Focused Study Groups (FSGs)
Most of PeDRA’s research takes place within one of eleven collaborative Focused Study Groups – Acne & Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Atopic Dermatitis & Psoriasis, Birthmarks, Connective Tissue & Autoinflammatory Disorders, Drugs & Bugs, Education, Genetic Skin Disorders, Hair Disorders, Neonatal Skin Care, Skin of Color and Pigmentary Disorders, and Skin Tumors and Reactions to Cancer Therapies (STARC). Each study group consists of dozens of clinician scientists, working under the guidance of one or more leaders to identify novel research ideas, advance our understanding of childhood skin diseases, and identify the best ways to improve the lives of patients and their families. PeDRA is able to leverage the strength of these working groups to identify and pursue cross-cutting studies that address high-priority research questions spanning many different pediatric skin diseases.
The goals of the Acne & HS Focused Study Group are to define and address unmet research needs in these disorders and to advance our understanding of biomarkers, genetic influences, and disease co-morbidities, in order to best treat our pediatric and adolescent patients.
The goals of the Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis Focused Study Group are to define and address unmet research needs in inflammatory skin diseases, to discover new therapies, and to advance our understanding of biomarkers, genetic influences, and disease comorbidities.
PeDRA’s Vascular Birthmarks Focused Study Group is made up of physician-scientists committed to understanding the biology, potential complications, and natural history of vascular birthmarks, and studying existing and potential new medical and laser options.
Goals of the Connective Tissue and Autoinflammatory Disorders Focused Study Group include improving our understanding of the pathogenesis, prognosis, and comorbidities of these conditions, identifying more reliable monitoring tools, and advancing therapeutic options for our patients.
The goals of the Drugs & Bugs Focused Study Group are to define and address unmet research needs in bug/infection- and drug/medication-induced skin disease in children and to advance our understanding of specific triggers, mechanisms, genetic predispositions, management, outcomes, and complications so that we can improve care for our pediatric and adolescent patients.
The mission of the Education Focused Study Group within PeDRA is to create a space where pediatric dermatologists interested in medical education can gather together to discuss research ideas and challenges; develop collaborative research projects to understand and address deficits in pediatric dermatologic knowledge among those providing care for children with dermatologic disorders; create, implement, and evaluate innovative curricula regarding pediatric dermatology; and increase awareness of the specialty of pediatric dermatology by establishing a body of pediatric dermatology educational literature and developing networks outside of pediatric dermatology.
Genetic skin disorders include an array of conditions where small changes in a child’s genetic code affect the structure and function of the skin. These diseases can affect families with no known history of disease, are difficult to screen for, and often result in devastating pain and reduced life expectancy.
The Hair Disorders Focused Study Group within PeDRA aims to advance research and understanding of pediatric hair disorders through collaboration and innovation.
PeDRA’s Neonatal Skin Care Focused Study Group is driven by the goals to (1) advance our understanding of normal skin development in the fetus, premature and term neonate, (2) develop evidence-based treatment recommendations for skin care and skin disease in preterm and term neonates, and (3) understand the role of skin in disease states of preterm and term infants.
Children of color are from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds associated with increased skin pigmentation including Black, LatinX, Asian, Pacific Islanders, Native American and all indigenous peoples. Focus will be placed upon skin diseases and conditions occurring more frequently in pediatric patients of color including unique clinical characteristics, treatment approaches, demographics or cultural caveats. Collaborative study will also focus on skin diseases with associated health disparity or cosmetic disfigurement.
PeDRA’s STARC Focused Study Group works tirelessly to refine our understanding of primary skin tumors, to generate longitudinal data on the natural history and outcomes of potential precursors of skin malignancy, and to define and address unmet needs in cutaneous complications from therapies.
Interested in starting a new FSG?
History of PeDRA’s FSGs
The PeDRA Inflammatory Skin Disease Collaborative (ISDC) was initiated on September 1, 2009, as the first multicenter effort for the study of pediatric inflammatory dermatoses. It brought together investigators with prior successful collaborations in clinical research and newer members developing careers in this area.
At the inaugural PeDRA Annual Conference in 2013, groups of physicians interested in specific areas of pediatric dermatology came together in breakout sessions to exchange ideas and network with potential collaborators on a number of exciting research projects. These groups included researchers focused on vascular and other birthmarks, genetic skin disorders skincare in the preterm and term neonate. Later, PeDRA added the STARC group and established new study groups to focus on specific subsets of inflammatory skin diseases.
In the years since, new PeDRA members have been able to identify interest in any of PeDRA’s working groups when they join, renew membership, or simply have an inkling to get involved with research activities in any particular area any time throughout the year. Focused Study Groups also attract non-member collaborators on active studies and draw attention from investigators, patient representatives, and other stakeholders at the PeDRA Annual Conference.