Study | Number of participants | Age Range (mean) | Acyclovir protocol | Outcomes | Quality | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Total | Per group |  |  |  | Jadad Score | Allocation Concealment |
Balfour 1990 | 102 | 50 – acyclovir 50 – placebo | 5–16 years (8.1) | 5–7 years: 20 mg/kg 7–12 years: 15 mg/kg 12–16 years: 10 mg/kg 4x/days for 5-7 days | • Days to fever, crusting, no new lesions, maximum number of lesions, decrease in number of lesions and cessation of itching • Maximum number of lesions | 4 | Unclear |
Dunkle 1991 | 815 | 408 – acyclovir 407 – placebo | 2–12 years (5.2) | 20 mg/kg 4×/day for 5 days | • Maximum number of lesions • Number with >500 lesions • Residual lesions at day 28 | 3 | Unclear |
Balfour 1992 | 62 | 31 – acyclovir 31 – placebo | 13–18 years (14.8) | 800 mg 4×/day for 5 days | • Days to maximum number of lesions and cessation of itching • Maximum number of lesions • Residual lesions at day 28 | 3 | Unclear |