Objective:

To systematically review the psychological outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among pediatric patients with chronic dermatologic conditions.

Approach:

• Systematic Review: Conducted following PRISMA guidelines, searching five electronic databases for studies published between 2010 and 2025.
• Inclusion Criteria: Included empirical studies assessing psychological outcomes or HRQoL in pediatric patients (≤18 years) with chronic skin conditions.
• Quality Assessment: Methodological quality of studies was appraised using JBI and CASP tools.
• Data Synthesis: Findings were synthesized narratively due to heterogeneity in study designs and outcome measures.

Key Findings:

• 41 studies met inclusion criteria, with most being cross-sectional (approximately 75%).
• Elevated rates of anxiety, depression, stigma, and emotional distress were reported across various conditions.
• Severe atopic dermatitis was linked to nearly a two-fold increased risk of depressive and internalizing symptoms.
• HRQoL impairment affected emotional functioning, peer relationships, school participation, and sleep.
• Caregiver burden was documented in 19 studies.

Interpretation:

Chronic skin disorders are associated with significant psychological distress and reduced HRQoL, with psychosocial distress often paralleling physical symptom severity.

Limitations:

• Causal inferences cannot be drawn due to the predominance of cross-sectional designs.
• Heterogeneity in study designs, assessment tools, and outcome definitions complicates comparisons.
• Limited integration of psychosocial, behavioral, and contextual factors in existing research.

Conclusion:

The findings support the need for routine psychosocial assessment and family-centered care to improve outcomes for pediatric patients with chronic skin conditions.