Purpose of review: Treatment of scleroderma in children is challenging since little is known about its pathogenesis. Herein, we review the most recent evidence regarding the treatment of juvenile scleroderma.
Recent findings: According to the recent recommendations for Pediatric Rheumatology in Europe (SHARE), systemic treatment in localized scleroderma is needed when there is a risk for disability, such as in generalized or pansclerotic morphea and progressive linear scleroderma. In juvenile systemic sclerosis, the introduction of the severity score, J4S, has standardized the assessment of the patients in the daily practice and allowed a more tailored therapeutic approach. Since, to date, no clinical trial is available in JSSc, due to its rarity, the treatment is based on adults' experience. The recent recommendations for juvenile scleroderma represent an important instrument to standardize the treatment approach, confirm the role of methotrexate, and open new windows for effective experimental treatments, such as mycophenolate mofetil and biological agents, for severe or refractory cases.
Keywords: Antirheumatic drugs; Biologics; Immunosuppressive agents; Juvenile-onset scleroderma; Scleroderma, localized; Scleroderma, systemic.