The prevalence of atopic dermatitis history in asthmatic children

Abstract

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a risk factor of asthma. There is still limited information about its prevalence and characteristics in asthmatic children. Objective To find out the prevalence of AD history in asthmatic children. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the De- partment of Child Health, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, from July until December 2004. Patients with asthma who were at or less than 5 years of age were included in the study. The parents had completed study questionnaire about asthma, AD, and some information about atopic family history, the food history in infant period and environment factors. Results Ninety children met the inclusion criteria. Male and female ratio was 1.5:1. Most of subjects reported onset of asthma in 12- 36 months of age. The history of AD was found in 26% of asth- matic children with quite similar number for both sexes. All sub- jects had atopic family history with asthma as the most common manifestation. The environment factors contributed to this event were mother’s diet containing allergen and smoking history in family during pregnancy and lactation period. More than half of subjects had no breast-feeding. Solid food and formulated milk had been early-introduced. Conclusion History of AD is found in 26% asthmatic children. The percentage of characteristic distribution of factors which had been assumed has a role in asthma and AD was similarly equal between subjects with and without history of AD

Keywords

• atopic dermatitis
• asthma
• atopy
• allergic