OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of atopic diseases on nevus development during childhood. DESIGN: A descriptive survey of nevi in a cohort of 8- and 9-year-old children combining a skin examination and a validated questionnaire regarding atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and bronchial asthma. SETTING: Fifty-one primary schools in Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 788 children born in 1992 participated in 1999 in a prevalence study of allergic diseases. The present study was restricted to the 545 children from that study who were still living in the community, and 515 (94%) of them participated. The cumulative incidence of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and bronchial asthma was 24%, 12%, and 13%, respectively, from birth to age 7 years as reported by questionnaire; 3% reported all 3 diagnoses. RESULTS: Children with reported atopic dermatitis and findings of active dermatitis on examination had fewer nevi (median, 4; mean, 7.4) than children with no reported atopic disease and no active dermatitis found on examination (median, 9; mean, 11.2) (P<.001). Children who developed active atopic dermatitis after the questionnaire was filled out (ie, during the last 2 years) had fewer nevi than children with no atopic disease (median, 3; mean, 5.3) (P<.001). There was no difference in nevus number between the children with bronchial asthma or allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and children with no atopic disease. CONCLUSION: Children with atopic dermatitis had few melanocytic nevi, which suggests that the proinflammatory cytokine network in the atopic skin might inhibit melanocyte growth and/or progression to nevi.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of atopic diseases on nevus development during childhood. DESIGN: A descriptive survey of nevi in a cohort of 8- and 9-year-old children combining a skin examination and a validated questionnaire regarding atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and bronchial asthma. SETTING: Fifty-one primary schools in Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 788 children born in 1992 participated in 1999 in a prevalence study of allergic diseases. The present study was restricted to the 545 children from that study who were still living in the community, and 515 (94%) of them participated. The cumulative incidence of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and bronchial asthma was 24%, 12%, and 13%, respectively, from birth to age 7 years as reported by questionnaire; 3% reported all 3 diagnoses. RESULTS:Children with reported atopic dermatitis and findings of active dermatitis on examination had fewer nevi (median, 4; mean, 7.4) than children with no reported atopic disease and no active dermatitis found on examination (median, 9; mean, 11.2) (P<.001). Children who developed active atopic dermatitis after the questionnaire was filled out (ie, during the last 2 years) had fewer nevi than children with no atopic disease (median, 3; mean, 5.3) (P<.001). There was no difference in nevus number between the children with bronchial asthma or allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and children with no atopic disease. CONCLUSION:Children with atopic dermatitis had few melanocytic nevi, which suggests that the proinflammatory cytokine network in the atopic skin might inhibit melanocyte growth and/or progression to nevi.