Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis 

  • Author: Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 26, 2011
 

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronically relapsing skin disorder with an immunologic basis.[1] The clinical presentation varies from mild to severe. In the worst cases, atopic dermatitis may interfere with normal growth and development. Treatment consists of adequate skin hydration, avoidance of allergenic precipitants, topical anti-inflammatory medications, systemic antihistamines, and antibiotic coverage of secondary infections.

Although often used interchangeably, the terms eczema and atopic dermatitis are not equivalent. Eczema is a reaction pattern with various causes and the most common pediatric cause is atopic dermatitis. Other causes of eczematous dermatitis include allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, nummular eczema, dyshidrotic eczema, asteatotic eczema, and lichen simplex chronicus. Eczematous reactions can be classified as acute, subacute, or chronic, depending on historical and physical characteristics.

The images below depict patients with atopic dermatitis.

Typical atopic dermatitis on the face of an infantTypical atopic dermatitis on the face of an infant. Flexural involvement in childhood atopic dermatitiFlexural involvement in childhood atopic dermatitis.
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Pathophysiology

Clinically unaffected skin in patients with atopic dermatitis has increased numbers of T-helper type 2 (Th2) cells compared with skin in patients without atopic dermatitis. Increased levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 (Th2 cytokines) are seen in acute atopic dermatitis skin lesions, whereas chronic atopic dermatitis lesions show increased expression of IL-5 (Th2 cytokine) and IL-12 and interferon (IFN)-γ (Th1 cytokines). Chronic atopic dermatitis lesions also exhibit greater eosinophil infiltration compared with skin in patients without atopic dermatitis.

IL-4 enhances differentiation of T-helper cells along the Th2 pathway, and IL-13 acts as a chemoattractant for Th2 cells to infiltrate atopic dermatitis lesions. IL-13 may also directly induce IL-5 expression and eosinophil infiltration, thereby facilitating the transition from acute lesions into chronic lesions.[2]

In addition, patients with atopic dermatitis appear to have significantly decreased levels of skin barrier molecules compared with normal controls. Ceramide lipids in the stratum corneum, which are responsible for water retention and permeability functions, and skin barrier proteins such as filaggrin are expressed at significantly lower levels in the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis compared with the skin of patients without atopic dermatitis.[2, 3]

Significant evidence favors the hygiene hypothesis for the development of atopic dermatitis. An inverse relationship is recognized between helminth infections and atopic dermatitis but no other pathogens.[4] In addition, early day care, endotoxin, unpasteurized farm milk, and animal exposure appear to be beneficial, likely because of a general increase in exposure to nonpathogenic microbes.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Atopic dermatitis occurs in approximately 10-20% of children and 2% of adults.[2] Children with concurrent asthma or hayfever have a 30-50% incidence of developing atopic dermatitis.

International

Prevalence rates for atopic dermatitis in children over a 1-year period ranged from around 2% in Iran and China to about 20% in Australasia, England, and Scandinavia.[5] Interestingly, populations that migrate from areas of low prevalence to areas of higher prevalence have shown an increased incidence of atopic dermatitis, bolstering the idea of strong environmental influences in the development of atopic dermatitis.

Race

No clear racial predilections have been identified.

Sex

Males and females are affected with equal incidence and severity.

Age

Atopic dermatitis may occur in people of any age but often starts in infants aged 2-6 months. Ninety percent of patients with atopic dermatitis experience the onset of disease prior to age 5 years.[6] Seventy-five percent of individuals experience marked improvement in the severity of their atopic dermatitis by age 14 years; however, the remaining 25% continue to have significant relapses during their adult life. A recent study concluded that the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in children younger than 2 years was 18.6%.[7]

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Kevin P Connelly, DO  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics and Emergency Care, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine; Medical Director, Paws for Health Pet Visitation Program of the Richmond SPCA; Pediatric Emergency Physician, Emergency Consultants Inc, Chippenham Medical Center

Kevin P Connelly, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Merrily P M Poth, MD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Merrily P M Poth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Endocrine Society, and Lawson-Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Typical atopic dermatitis on the face of an infant.
Flexural involvement in childhood atopic dermatitis.
 
 
 
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