Molluscum Contagiosum Treatments in Children: A Systematic Review with Network Meta-Analysis.

IF 3.7 3区医学 Q1 PEDIATRICS

Pediatric Drugs Pub Date : 2026-07-01 Epub Date: 2026-06-26 DOI:10.1007/s40272-026-00758-1

Letícia Rocha Campos, Gisella Chiara Carpi, Ana Beatriz Nardelli da Silva, Beatriz Ximenes Mendes, Fabiana Castro Porto Silva Lopes

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background/objectives: Molluscum contagiosum affects up to 11.5% of children, yet optimal treatment remains uncertain. Previous systematic reviews included mixed adult/pediatric populations, limiting applicability to children. We performed the first pediatric-specific network meta-analysis comparing molluscum contagiosum treatment efficacy and safety.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science through December 2025 for controlled trials evaluating molluscum contagiosum treatments in children. Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 and ROBINS-I tools. We performed frequentist network meta-analysis with random-effects modeling, calculating risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Treatments were ranked using Surface Under Cumulative Ranking (SUCRA) scores. This systematic review and network meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO (registration number CRD420251040622).

Results: Eighteen controlled trials involving 2377 pediatric participants evaluating 15 treatments were included. The network demonstrated consistency (inconsistency p = 0.77). Among treatments evaluated in multiple studies, salicylic acid + lactic acid 16.7% (RR 3.16, 95% CI 1.81-5.52, SUCRA 86.0%), cantharidin 0.7% (RR 3.25, 95% CI 1.39-7.58, SUCRA 81.2%), and potassium hydroxide 10% (RR 3.05, 95% CI 1.77-5.24, SUCRA 78.6%) demonstrated superior efficacy versus placebo. Single-study treatments including Backhousia citriodora oil and Candida albicans antigen achieved highest rankings but require validation. Potassium hydroxide demonstrated concentration-dependent efficacy and adverse events.

Conclusions: Salicylic acid + lactic acid 16.7%, cantharidin 0.7%, and potassium hydroxide 10% demonstrate superior efficacy for pediatric molluscum contagiosum with robust multi-study evidence. Treatment selection should balance efficacy, safety, and patient factors. Top-ranked single-study treatments require validation before clinical recommendations.

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儿童传染性软疣的治疗：网络荟萃分析的系统综述。

背景/目的：传染性软疣影响高达11.5%的儿童，但最佳治疗仍不确定。以前的系统评价包括成人/儿童混合人群，限制了对儿童的适用性。我们进行了第一个儿科特异性网络荟萃分析，比较了传染性软疣治疗的有效性和安全性。方法：我们检索MEDLINE、Embase、Cochrane Library和Web of Science，检索到2025年12月评估儿童传染性软疣治疗的对照试验。两位审稿人独立选择研究，提取数据，并使用Cochrane risk of bias 2和ROBINS-I工具评估偏倚风险。我们使用随机效应模型进行了频率网络meta分析，以95%置信区间（CI）计算风险比（RR）。使用表面下累积排名（SUCRA）评分对处理进行排名。该系统评价和网络荟萃分析已在PROSPERO注册（注册号CRD420251040622）。结果：纳入18项对照试验，涉及2377名儿科受试者，评估15种治疗方法。网络表现出一致性（不一致性p = 0.77）。在多项研究评估的治疗中，水杨酸+乳酸16.7% （RR 3.16, 95% CI 1.81-5.52, SUCRA 86.0%）、花脂素0.7% （RR 3.25, 95% CI 1.39-7.58, SUCRA 81.2%）和氢氧化钾10% （RR 3.05, 95% CI 1.77-5.24, SUCRA 78.6%）的疗效优于安慰剂。单项研究的治疗方法包括柠檬酸Backhousia citriodora油和白色念珠菌抗原获得了最高的排名，但需要验证。氢氧化钾表现出浓度依赖性的疗效和不良事件。结论：水杨酸+乳酸16.7%、斑蝥素0.7%、氢氧化钾10%对小儿传染性软疣疗效显著，多研究证据充分。治疗选择应平衡疗效、安全性和患者因素。排名靠前的单项研究治疗在临床推荐之前需要验证。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Pediatric Drugs PEDIATRICS-PHARMACOLOGY & PHARMACY

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： Pediatric Drugs promotes the optimization and advancement of all aspects of pharmacotherapy for healthcare professionals interested in pediatric drug therapy (including vaccines). The program of review and original research articles provides healthcare decision makers with clinically applicable knowledge on issues relevant to drug therapy in all areas of neonatology and the care of children and adolescents. The Journal includes: -overviews of contentious or emerging issues. -comprehensive narrative reviews of topics relating to the effective and safe management of drug therapy through all stages of pediatric development. -practical reviews covering optimum drug management of specific clinical situations. -systematic reviews that collate empirical evidence to answer a specific research question, using explicit, systematic methods as outlined by the PRISMA statement. -Adis Drug Reviews of the properties and place in therapy of both newer and established drugs in the pediatric population. -original research articles reporting the results of well-designed studies with a strong link to clinical practice, such as clinical pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies, clinical trials, meta-analyses, outcomes research, and pharmacoeconomic and pharmacoepidemiological studies. Additional digital features (including animated abstracts, video abstracts, slide decks, audio slides, instructional videos, infographics, podcasts and animations) can be published with articles; these are designed to increase the visibility, readership and educational value of the journal’s content. In addition, articles published in Pediatric Drugs may be accompanied by plain language summaries to assist readers who have some knowledge of, but not in-depth expertise in, the area to understand important medical advances.