Treatment of extensive warts with etretinate: a clinical trial in 20 children.

To evaluate the clinical-effectiveness of etretinate in the treatment of papilloma virus infections, 20 children with extensive warts were given this oral retinoid for a period not exceeding three months at a dosage of 1 mg per kg per day. Sixteen patients showed complete regression of the disease without relapse, while in 4, lesions recurred after partial regression had been obtained. A follow-up of two years confirmed these findings. The results of this preliminary study are encouraging. Additional study is needed to determine the ultimate usefulness of etretinate in the treatment of refractory warts.