[Atopic neurodermatitis, basic concepts in pediatrics]

Atopic neurodermatitis (AND) is the first or second most frequent skin diseases in childhood. It represented 15% of all skin diseases seen at the Hospital del Nino, IMAN. The clinical and epidemiologic aspects of AND, the different hypothesis of its pathogenesis, management and treatment are discussed. The importance of emotional factors in AND have been over stressed, resulting in therapeutic abuses of psychyatric drugs and psychotherapy.