PREVALENCE OF ATOPIC DERMATITIS SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS

A link between atopic dermatitis (AD,eczema) and emotional and behavioral dysfunction is more or less well recognized but concern still exists. Children with a chronic health condition have long been considered at excess risk for psychosocial morbidity. But psychosocial morbidity is less linked and studied in connection with other disease, especially AD. As mentioned before, AD is the most prevalent chronic disease in young children. The aim of the study was assessment of incidence of atopic dermatitis in children of 5-6 years with developmental and behavioral problems. The cross sectional study was conducted. Children with developmental and behavioral problems according to medical records and aged five to six years were recruited consecutively from a preventive care register in M. Iashvili Childrens Hospital Child Developmental Center in 2010-2014 years. Recruitment was done according developmental and behavioral assessment performed on the basis of team approach by pediatrician and psychologist. Parents evaluation of development status: developmental milestones (PEDS:DM) and Pictorial Checklist ( PIK -17) was used for assessment. 639 children with language delays, problems of externalization and internalization were enrolled in study. Children were examined by pediatricians based on the presence of at least three major and three minor criteria of Hanifin and Rajka's diagnostic criteria(H&R) and by semi structured, one-to-one interview with the parents. According our study: 1. Significant amount of children with developmental and behavioral problems and symptoms are developing AD(36%). 2. Children with language delay were more frequently developing AD symptoms than children with behavioral problems.3.There was not significant difference in children with language delay and behavioral problems in terms of impact on QL. In both cases everyday activities, sleep and recreational actives were affected and there more affected then in children with developmental and behavioral problems and symptoms with AD comparable to children without AD, especially sleep.4. Date represents that boys are more likely to develop AD than girls, this information is in correlation with known facts about dermatitis. Both boys and girls were similarly affected by QL problems in case of AD and developmental and behavioral problems and symptoms. Chronic diseases and development and behavior of children in further dilemma for researchers. Our study gives us further impulse for more deep insight in factors affecting children with delays and behavioral problems and prospective studies in group with developmental and behavioral problems and symptoms and AD.