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Allergic contact dermatitis in children: a review of international studies
C Matiz1, J W Hsu, M Paz Castanedo-Tardan
1Rady Children's Hospital, UCSD, Division of Dermatology, San Diego, CA, USA.
Insights
Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is increasingly diagnosed in children globally. International data reveal nickel, cobalt, antibiotics, fragrances, and rubber chemicals as common allergens in pediatric patch testing worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatric Allergy
- Immunology
Background:
- Historically, allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) was considered rare in children due to perceived immature immune systems and lower allergen exposure.
- Pediatric patch testing was less common, contributing to underdiagnosis of ACD in this age group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze global trends in pediatric allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).
- To compare international pediatric patch test results and identify geographic variations in common contact allergens affecting children worldwide.
Main Methods:
- Review of international pediatric patch testing data from the past decade.
- Comparison of patch test results focusing on geographic differences in common contact allergens.
Main Results:
- Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is increasingly prevalent and relevant in children, comparable to adults.
- The top five global allergens identified in pediatric patch testing are nickel, cobalt, antibiotics, fragrances, and rubber chemicals.
- Prevalence rates of these allergens show relative global consistency, with regional disparities influenced by local factors.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a significant global health concern.
- Nickel, cobalt, antibiotics, fragrances, and rubber chemicals are key allergens in children worldwide.
- Understanding regional variations in allergen prevalence is crucial for managing pediatric ACD effectively.
Abstract:
In the recent past in the United States, allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) was thought to be a disorder affecting mainly adults. It was rarely diagnosed in the pediatric population, partly due to beliefs that children had immature immune systems and were less frequently exposed to chemical allergens when compared to adults. Also, patch testing for affected children was not as widely utilized in the pediatric population as it is today. While patch testing in children may require some modifications to the technique, the international (non-US) data from the last decade in addition to the US data reported this past year indicate that ACD in children is an increasingly common condition, equally prevalent and relevant to adults. According to our review of the international data available on pediatric patch testing, the top five global allergens were found to be nickel, cobalt, antibiotics, fragrances, and rubber chemicals. Although these allergens display a relatively consistent prevalence rate across the world, disparities can be attributed to regional variations in local trends, customs, and fashions. In this review pediatric patch test results from countries throughout the globe have been compared while focusing on geographic differences on some of the most common contact allergens that affect children worldwide.
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