Abstract
Objective. To analyze the adverse reactions in the form of premature closure of epiphyseal growth zones in children associated with the use of isotretinoin.
Materials and methods. The literature review includes an analysis of scientific papers from the databases PubMed, Embase, eLibrary, CyberLeninka and Web of Science, CNKI and MEDLINE.
Results. Most cases of growth retardation are associated with prolonged use of high doses of isotretinoin and are usually observed in the treatment of neuroblastoma. In one study, three of 216 children with neuroblastoma developed premature closure of the pineal gland after taking isotretinoin, which was 1.4%. In two other reports on patients treated for acne, unilateral epiphyseal deformities of the knee joint were associated with isotretinoin therapy at doses of 0.5 and 0.75 mg/kg/day for 6 months in 16-year-old and 14-year-old patients, respectively. Bone growth arrest has been reported at doses ranging from 0.5 to 3.6 mg/kg/day for a period of 6 months to several years.
Conclusions. Premature fusion of growth zones caused by isotretinoin appears to be associated with different doses and duration of treatment, ranging from several months to several years. Cases of premature closure of epiphyseal growth zones have been reported in people receiving therapeutic doses of isotretinoin for acne treatment, which are much lower than the high doses used for neuroblastoma. Isotretinoin can affect the growth zones in both the proximal tibia and the distal femur. This study raises the awareness of primary care physicians about the potentially dangerous side effects of isotretinoin, including premature closure of epiphyseal growth zones in children. This helps doctors to better inform patients about the risks and benefits of isotretinoin therapy so that they can make informed decisions. Further clinical studies are needed to assess the development of growth zones in children with isotretinoin therapy.
Keywords: neuroblastoma, closure of growth zones, isotretinoin.
Materials and methods. The literature review includes an analysis of scientific papers from the databases PubMed, Embase, eLibrary, CyberLeninka and Web of Science, CNKI and MEDLINE.
Results. Most cases of growth retardation are associated with prolonged use of high doses of isotretinoin and are usually observed in the treatment of neuroblastoma. In one study, three of 216 children with neuroblastoma developed premature closure of the pineal gland after taking isotretinoin, which was 1.4%. In two other reports on patients treated for acne, unilateral epiphyseal deformities of the knee joint were associated with isotretinoin therapy at doses of 0.5 and 0.75 mg/kg/day for 6 months in 16-year-old and 14-year-old patients, respectively. Bone growth arrest has been reported at doses ranging from 0.5 to 3.6 mg/kg/day for a period of 6 months to several years.
Conclusions. Premature fusion of growth zones caused by isotretinoin appears to be associated with different doses and duration of treatment, ranging from several months to several years. Cases of premature closure of epiphyseal growth zones have been reported in people receiving therapeutic doses of isotretinoin for acne treatment, which are much lower than the high doses used for neuroblastoma. Isotretinoin can affect the growth zones in both the proximal tibia and the distal femur. This study raises the awareness of primary care physicians about the potentially dangerous side effects of isotretinoin, including premature closure of epiphyseal growth zones in children. This helps doctors to better inform patients about the risks and benefits of isotretinoin therapy so that they can make informed decisions. Further clinical studies are needed to assess the development of growth zones in children with isotretinoin therapy.
Keywords: neuroblastoma, closure of growth zones, isotretinoin.
For citation:Kaliberdenko V.B., Yatskov I.A., Zagidullina E.R., Pogorelets V.S., Shchedrina T.E., Dzhalyalova A.R., Yakovleva E.Yu., Bondarenko A.I., Samsonova N.V. Analysis of the effect of isotretinoin on premature closure of epiphyseal growth zones in children. Clinical review for general practice. 2025; 6 (11): 38–42 (In Russ.). DOI: 10.47407/kr2025.6.11.00709
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