Predictive factors of persistent infantile atopic dermatitis up to 6years old in Taiwan: a prospective birth cohort study

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis affects 15-30% of children worldwide. Onset of disease usually occurs within the first year of life, over half of which regress by 6years of age. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors related to the persistence of infantile atopic dermatitis. MethodsIn this birth cohort study, patients were enrolled prenatally and followed until 6years of age; 246 patients had infantile atopic dermatitis at 6months of age. Family history, maternal and paternal total and specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, and cord blood IgE were recorded. Clinical examination, questionnaire survey, and blood samples for total and specific IgE of the children were collected at each follow-up visit. ResultsOf the 246 patients with infantile atopic dermatitis at 6 months of age, 48 patients had persisted atopic dermatitis at 6years of age (19.5%). Risk factors associated with persistent infantile atopic dermatitis included egg white sensitization (odds ratio: 3.801, P=0.020), and atopic dermatitis involving two or more areas at 6months old (odds ratio: 2.921, P=0.018) after multivariate analysis with logistic regression. Patients with persistent infantile atopic dermatitis had a higher risk of asthma before 6years old (39.6% vs 24.2%, P=0.032). ConclusionEgg white sensitization and the initial involvement of two or more areas at 6months of age were associated with the persistent infantile atopic dermatitis. Patients with persistent infantile atopic dermatitis are more likely to develop asthma by 6years of age.