Eine Allergie gegen Ei,
Katzenhaare, Graspollen und Hausstaubmilben erwies sich als Risikofaktor
für eine atopische Dermatitis. Dies trifft auch auf eine familiäre
Vorgeschichte für dieses oft allergisch bedingte Hautleiden zu
sowie für das aktuelle Bestehen von Rhinitis-Symptomen.
Abstract:
Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common condition in
infancy which usually disappears by 3 years of age in a significant
proportion of children. The prognosis is mostly determined by
severity and presence of atopic sensitization.
Objectives To
investigate prevalence of AD, comorbidities and risk factors in a
population of preschool children aged 3-5 years.
Methods Children in
kindergartens were evaluated. The International Study of Asthma and
Allergies in Childhood written questionnaire (WQ) was used, with
additional questions on risk factors. Atopy was investigated by skin
prick tests.
Results One thousand, four hundred and two valid WQs
(92% response rate) were returned for evaluation. The prevalence of
AD symptoms in the last 12 months in the whole population was 18.1%
(254 cases). Seventy-two per cent of these children presented
AD-specific localizations. The prevalence of eczema as a doctor's
diagnosis in the total population was 15.4%. Positive atopic
sensitization was present in 18.6% of the total and in 32.2% of the
AD study population, respectively.
Multiple sensitivities were
observed in 58.2% of sensitized children. The prevalence of
sensitization demonstrated that the most common sensitizing
allergens in children with AD were mites and grass pollen. Rhinitis
symptoms and wheezing were present in 32.2% and 24.2%, respectively,
of children with AD.
Allergic sensitization to egg, cat, grass
pollen and mites, as well as the presence of symptoms of rhinitis,
and a positive family history of atopy were all significant risk
factors for AD.
Conclusions The study demonstrates a high prevalence
of AD and a close relationship with rhinitis symptoms. Significant
risk factors for AD were sensitization to food or inhalant allergens
as well as parental history of atopy.
