Balancing safety and efficacy in photodynamic therapy for facial port-wine stains in children aged 2-7 years: a prospective controlled study of light-intensity optimization
- 1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- 2Department of Laser and Aesthetic Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
Abstract
Background Hemoporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy is increasingly used to treat port-wine stains (PWS), but evidence regarding appropriate light intensity for young children remains limited.Objective To compare safety and efficacy of two light-intensity regimens for hemoporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy in 2- to 7-year-old children with facial PWS.Methods In this open-label prospective controlled study, 40 children were enrolled sequentially to receive photodynamic therapy using light intensities of 60 or 75 mW/cm2 with a hemoporfin dose of 5 mg/kg. The primary outcome was the overall effective rate at 8 weeks after treatment. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at 8 and 24 weeks. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04106258).Results Both treatment regimens were well tolerated and achieved similar overall effective rates at 8 and 24 weeks. The higher light-intensity regimen was associated with a higher complete clearance rate at 24 weeks but also a significantly higher incidence of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. No serious adverse events were observed.Conclusion Both light-intensity regimens improved facial PWS in children aged 2–7 years. In this exploratory, non-randomized comparison, 75 mW/cm2 was associated with a higher observed complete-clearance rate, but an increased risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Lower light intensity may be considered when minimizing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a clinical priority.
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BibTeX
@article{qin2026balancing,
title = {{Balancing safety and efficacy in photodynamic therapy for facial port-wine stains in children aged 2-7 years: a prospective controlled study of light-intensity optimization}},
author = {Jiawen Qin and Xiaoxi Lin and Yue Han and Yize Zhang and Jingyan Huang and Cara Kou Yan and Xiaolin Zhang and Gang Ma and Hanru Ying},
journal = {Journal of Dermatological Treatment},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1080/09546634.2026.2734962},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2026.2734962},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Balancing safety and efficacy in photodynamic therapy for facial port-wine stains in children aged 2-7 years: a prospective controlled study of light-intensity optimization
AU - Jiawen Qin
AU - Xiaoxi Lin
AU - Yue Han
AU - Yize Zhang
AU - Jingyan Huang
AU - Cara Kou Yan
AU - Xiaolin Zhang
AU - Gang Ma
AU - Hanru Ying
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Journal of Dermatological Treatment
DO - 10.1080/09546634.2026.2734962
UR - https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2026.2734962
AB - Background Hemoporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy is increasingly used to treat port-wine stains (PWS), but evidence regarding appropriate light intensity for young children remains limited.Objective To compare safety and efficacy of two light-intensity regimens for hemoporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy in 2- to 7-year-old children with facial PWS.Methods In this open-label prospective controlled study, 40 children were enrolled sequentially to receive photodynamic therapy using light intensities of 60 or 75 mW/cm2 with a hemoporfin dose of 5 mg/kg. The primary outcome was the overall effective rate at 8 weeks after treatment. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at 8 and 24 weeks. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04106258).Results Both treatment regimens were well tolerated and achieved similar overall effective rates at 8 and 24 weeks. The higher light-intensity regimen was associated with a higher complete clearance rate at 24 weeks but also a significantly higher incidence of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. No serious adverse events were observed.Conclusion Both light-intensity regimens improved facial PWS in children aged 2–7 years. In this exploratory, non-randomized comparison, 75 mW/cm2 was associated with a higher observed complete-clearance rate, but an increased risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Lower light intensity may be considered when minimizing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a clinical priority.
SN - 1471-1753
SN - 0954-6634
ER -