Anna Belloni Fortina1, Ilaria Romano2, Andrea Peserico3, Lawrence F Eichenfield4. 1. Dermatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Padova, Padua, Italy. Electronic address: belloni@pediatria.unipd.it. 2. Dermatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Padova, Padua, Italy. 3. Dermatology Unit, University of Padova, Padua, Italy. 4. Pediatric and Adolescent Dermatology, Rady Children's Hospital, University of California, San Diego, California.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis is an increasingly recognized clinical problem in children. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate contact sensitization in patients younger than 3 years of age with suspected contact dermatitis. METHODS: During a 6-year period (2002-2008), 321 children underwent routine patch testing with a screening pediatric standard series of 30 allergens. RESULTS: Two hundred children (62.3%; 102 girls and 98 boys aged 3-36 months [mean age 27 + 5.6 months]) developed at least one positive reaction. The most frequent reactions were to nickel sulfate (26.8%), followed by potassium dichromate (9%), cocamidopropylbetaine (7.2%), cobalt chloride (6.2%), neomycin sulfate (5%), and methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (4.4%). The prevalence of contact sensitization was similar in children with (61.3%) and without (63%) atopic dermatitis. LIMITATIONS: The prevalence of contact sensitization in children younger than 3 years of age was not compared with the prevalence in older children. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of contact sensitization was found in preschool children, even younger than 3 years of age. Patch testing should be considered in this age group when persistent dermatitis does not respond to conventional treatment.
BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis is an increasingly recognized clinical problem in children. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate contact sensitization in patients younger than 3 years of age with suspected contact dermatitis. METHODS: During a 6-year period (2002-2008), 321 children underwent routine patch testing with a screening pediatric standard series of 30 allergens. RESULTS: Two hundred children (62.3%; 102 girls and 98 boys aged 3-36 months [mean age 27 + 5.6 months]) developed at least one positive reaction. The most frequent reactions were to nickel sulfate (26.8%), followed by potassium dichromate (9%), cocamidopropylbetaine (7.2%), cobalt chloride (6.2%), neomycin sulfate (5%), and methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (4.4%). The prevalence of contact sensitization was similar in children with (61.3%) and without (63%) atopic dermatitis. LIMITATIONS: The prevalence of contact sensitization in children younger than 3 years of age was not compared with the prevalence in older children. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of contact sensitization was found in preschool children, even younger than 3 years of age. Patch testing should be considered in this age group when persistent dermatitis does not respond to conventional treatment.
Authors: Mario Sánchez-Borges; Bernard Thong; Miguel Blanca; Luis Felipe Chiaverini Ensina; Sandra González-Díaz; Paul A Greenberger; Edgardo Jares; Young-Koo Jee; Luciana Kase-Tanno; David Khan; Jung-Won Park; Werner Pichler; Antonino Romano; Maria José Torres Jaén Journal: World Allergy Organ J Date: 2013-10-31 Impact factor: 4.084