[Patients born in autumn more frequently develop atopic eczema]

Data of birth from 4040 atopic dermatitis patients born in the Berlin area were analyzed in view of their distribution over the 12 months of the year. For comparison the data of birth of all people being born during two years were treated the same way. There was a marked increase of atopic dermatitis with the persons born during the months August to October. On the other hand, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis was diminished with that persons who were born from February till July (with exception of May). Obviously, during the first months of life seasonally differing external factors influence directly o indirectly the decision, whether atopic dermatitis later on will manifest or not. These results should been taken into consideration for family planning in high-risk families.