Changes of the Prevalence and the Allergens of Atopic Dermatitis in Children: In between the Year of 1992 and 2002 / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis has been increased in the last decade. The purpose of this study is to compare the prevalence, and the etiologic allergens of atopic dermatitis in children between the year of 1992 and 2002. METHODS: The study was done on 90 cases of atopic dermatitis who visited the pediatric allergy clinic in Soonchunhyang University Hospital from August 2001 to July 2002. We reviewed their age, sex, severity, blood eosinophile count, serum IgE level and specific IgE antibody by uni-CAP, secondary skin infection, and compared with the data of 1992 year. RESULTS: The age distribution of patients were 20%(18 cases) under 1 yearold, 35.6%(32 cases) in 1 to 3 years old, 22.2%(20 cases) in 4 to 6 years old, and 22.2%(20 cases) over 7 years old. The proportion of the patients over 7 years old was increased compared with 1992 years. The sex ratio showed male predominance under 7 years old and female predominance over 7 years old. Specific IgE antibodies detected in patients under 1 year old was exclusively food. But for the age over 7 years old, food and inhalant allergen are detected in the year of 2002 in compare with that of 1992. Thirty patients had staphylococcal skin infection which were were susceptible to cephalosporin, oxacillin, vancomycin and resistant to penicillin, macrolide antibiotics. CONCLUSION: This result shows that the proportion of the children with atopic dermatitis was increased especially in the age over 7 years old and secondary skin infection are common. More active approach for the treatent and prevention of atopic dermatitis in children are needed.