Hebert Heads National Society of Pediatric Dermatology

If you’ve ever felt or seen the misery of a child with an itchy rash or the embarrassment of a teenager with acne, you can appreciate the importance of pediatric dermatology.

Now Adelaide Hebert, M.D., hopes to lead progress in both education and research in the field. She was elected to a one-year term as president of the 300-member Society of Pediatric Dermatology, the only national organization dedicated to the field.

Adelaide Hebert, M.D.

Her election was announced during the society’s 32nd annual meeting in Montreal.

Hebert, who is professor of dermatology and pediatrics and director of pediatric dermatology at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, said that relief of skin disorders may sometimes affect overall health. Studies of atopic dermatitis are a current focus in her clinical research efforts.

“We have discovered that if we can repair the barrier functions of the outer layer of skin with emollient creams, we can help solve some of the problems presented by disorders such as eczema.” She said current thinking indicates that repair of the barrier functions lowers the risk of becoming sensitized to products and foods, so that many times asthma, hay fever and food allergies can be avoided.

Creams for this purpose include moisturizers after the bath. New moisturizers help regulate physiologic factors that are missing in dry skin, she said. Look for over-the-counter creams that contain ceramide, a lipid that was recently discovered to help maintain skin integrity.

Of course, acne is still another huge challenge in dermatology. “Medicine and methodologies for managing acne are getting better all the time,” Hebert said. “Acne is a very treatable disease; however, the earlier we see the patient – preferably with the first few pimples – the better the outcome.”

Hebert, who has been on the UT Medical School faculty since 1986, pointed out that pediatric dermatology is a relatively new field, having begun in the 1970s with five founding members. These physicians united to foster education and scientific research relating to skin diseases in children. Currently, five to seven pediatric dermatology programs in the United States offer fellowships that prepare physicians to take the board exam in this specialty.

Hebert has been a member of the Society of Pediatric Dermatology for more than 20 years. She served on the board of directors for eight years and on a number of committees for that oranization.

As she begins her year as president, her goals include transition of the society to a more sophisticated business structure, expanding to a six-person management team. She emphasizes that the larger team will be able to better interface with other societies, support members, and address long-range goals.

By Gretchen Truitt