24/06/2026
🧒🔬 Prurigo Nodularis in Children: Insights from a Nationwide Finnish Study
Prurigo nodularis (PN; Chronic Prurigo) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by intensely itchy nodules, but data in children have been scarce. A new nationwide registry study from Finland analyzed all pediatric PN cases diagnosed between 1995 and 2024.
📊 What did the researchers find?
• Only 48 children met diagnostic criteria over the 30-year study period.
• The incidence was approximately 2 cases per million children per year, confirming that PN is rare in childhood.
• The average age at diagnosis was 10 years.
• More than 75% of children had a previous dermatologic diagnosis before PN developed.
🌿 Atopic dermatitis was the most important associated condition
• 52% of children had a history of atopic dermatitis (AD).
• Other associated conditions included unspecified dermatitis, asthma, rhinitis, and recurrent infections.
• These findings support the close relationship between chronic itch, atopy, and the development of PN.
💊 Systemic treatment was required in 25% of patients
• Dupilumab was the most frequently prescribed systemic therapy.
• Methotrexate and ciclosporin were used less often.
• Most children receiving dupilumab also had underlying atopic dermatitis.
💡 Clinical relevance
Although PN is uncommon in children, it should be considered in patients with chronic pruritus, excoriated nodules, and an atopic background. The strong association with atopic dermatitis highlights the importance of early itch control and appropriate management of underlying inflammatory skin disease.
Further information can be found here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42191639/
📖 Huilaja L, Jokelainen J, Sinikumpu SP. British Journal of Dermatology (2026)