Examining the natural course of cutaneous warts and treatment decisions among primary school children, researchers found a high prevalence of warts, half of which resolved within one year despite any treatment.
In the study of 1,099 Dutch children aged 4 to 12 years, researchers found 33 percent of children had cutaneous warts at baseline. One-half of the children found to have warts were free of warts one year later, despite any treatment.
Resolution rates were higher among younger children and children with non-Caucasian skin type. During the 15 month follow-up, 38 percent of children and their parents decided to treat the warts, a decision that was more likely when warts were bigger and bothersome. Eighteen percent used over-the counter treatment only, 15 percent used a family physician-provided treatment only and 5 percent used both.
The authors expect these findings to be useful in the process of shared decision making with parents and children. They conclude parents and family physicians should weigh the benign natural course, the adverse effects of treatments and the costs on the one hand, and the effectiveness of treatments and the risk of spreading untreated warts on the other.
Natural Course of Cutaneous Warts Among Primary School Children: A Prospective Cohort Study
http://www.annfammed.org/content/11/5/437.full
By Sjoerd C. Bruggink, MD, et al
Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands