Pediatric patients with melanin-rich skin, or skin of color (SOC), can be disproportionately affected by numerous dermatologic conditions. Patients can be more susceptible or have a greater disease burden, especially with conditions such as acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, pigmentary disorders, and hair disorders. Patients of color from all races and backgrounds including, but not limited to, those of African, Caribbean, Hispanic, LatinX, and Asian descent may present with dermatologic disorders differently from Caucasian patients and may require specific considerations for optimal treatment.

It is important that clinicians are not only aware of these disparities across multiple disease states, but that they are aware of changes to practice that need to be made. The Skin of Color Symposium, originally presented in a live symposium at the Masters of Pediatric Dermatology (MOPD) 2022 meeting is a 1.75-hour session solely centered upon caring for dermatologic issues in pediatric patients with skin of color (SOC). Provided in partnership with the Skin of Color Society, the Pediatric Skin of Color Symposium is designed to address these gaps in dermatologic care for pediatric SOC patients by reviewing skin conditions prevalent in SOC patients or those which disproportionately burden SOC patients and strategies for practicing cultural sensitivity when treating patients and communicating with caregivers. Participants will gain education needed to better treat these conditions and modify current practices to accommodate the needs of patients with darker pigmented skin.