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Allergic contact dermatitis in children. A multicenter study of the Portuguese Contact Dermatitis Group (GPEDC)
S Gonçalo1, M Gonçalo, A Azenha
1Clínica de Dermatologia, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal.
Insights
Allergic contact dermatitis is common in Portuguese children, with nickel being the most frequent allergen, particularly in females. Occupational exposure was noted in older children.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Allergology
Background:
- Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a prevalent skin condition in children.
- Identifying common allergens is crucial for prevention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and patterns of allergic contact dermatitis in Portuguese children.
- To identify the most common allergens responsible for ACD in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A study was conducted on 329 Portuguese children aged 14 years or younger.
- Patch testing was performed to assess reactions to various allergens.
Main Results:
- 170 children (51.7%) reacted to one or more allergens, with the highest prevalence in the 11-14 years age group.
- Nickel was the most common allergen, followed by thimerosal, cobalt, mercury, fragrance-mix, and potassium dichromate.
- Nickel reactivity was more frequent in females overall, but higher in males younger than 5 years. Positive reactions increased with age.
Conclusions:
- Nickel is a significant allergen in pediatric ACD in Portugal, with distinct gender and age-related patterns.
- Occupational ACD was identified in 12 older children (13-14 years old), highlighting potential environmental exposures.
Abstract:
The authors report a study of allergic contact dermatitis in 329 Portuguese children of 14 years or younger. 170 children (64 male and 106 female) reacted to 1 or more allergens. Most of these were in the 11-14 years group. The main allergens were nickel, thimerosal, cobalt, mercury, fragrance-mix and potassium dichromate. Nickel reactivity predominated in females over the whole group, but a greater number of males younger than 5 years reacted to nickel. The number of positive reactions increased with age, but this was not accompained by an increase in the % of relevant tests. 12 children, all of them 13 or 14 years-old, had an occupational allergic contact dermatitis.