Kicking Off MOPD 2026 With Lawrence Schachner, MD

Pediatric dermatology is moving quickly, with meaningful advances in both common inflammatory diseases and historically underserved rare conditions. In a recent conversation with Dermatology Times, Lawrence Schachner, MD, Professor and Chair Emeritus of the University of Miami Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery and faculty chair of the meeting, previewed the clinical priorities shaping this year’s Masters of Pediatric Dermatology meeting, taking place February 5–6, 2026, in Miami Beach.

Now in its 34th year, the meeting is structured to deliver practical updates for clinicians caring for children and adolescents with skin disease. The program opens with a therapeutic overview highlighting notable treatments introduced within the past year. Conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and alopecia areata remain central, reflecting ongoing expansion of targeted and systemic options in younger populations.

One area of particular focus is epidermolysis bullosa (EB), which has seen an unusual surge in therapeutic development. Several FDA-approved treatments have emerged over the past 2 years, marking a shift in how clinicians approach a disease long managed primarily with supportive care. Importantly, sessions on EB extend beyond medications to address nutrition, pain control, growth, and development—issues that strongly influence outcomes but are often under-discussed.

The meeting format balances broad updates with focused clinical discussions. Paired “master classes” bring together experienced pediatric dermatologists to review evolving management strategies for psoriasis, alopecia areata, infections, and atopic dermatitis. Other sessions address vitiligo and hidradenitis suppurativa, conditions that frequently present in adolescence and can carry significant psychosocial and long-term disease burden.

Rare diseases are given dedicated attention this year, including neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, ichthyosis, and mastocytosis. These segments aim to provide practical insights for clinicians who may encounter such conditions infrequently but are often responsible for coordinating long-term care.

Another highly practical component focuses on off-label medication use in pediatric dermatology. Given the limited pediatric labeling for many commonly used therapies, expert-led discussions explore how clinicians approach off-label treatment decisions for disorders such as acne, balancing evidence, safety, and clinical necessity.

Adolescent dermatology is also a key theme, with sessions addressing hormonal influences, preteen skin concerns, and the growing trend of early and intensive skin care practices among children. Procedural topics—including laser therapy and other interventions appropriate for younger patients—round out the program.

Taken together, the Masters of Pediatric Dermatology meeting reflects a field that is expanding not only in therapeutic options, but also in clinical nuance. By combining recent advances with practical guidance across the pediatric age spectrum, the program aims to support thoughtful, informed care in an increasingly complex clinical landscape.