[Contact allergic dermatitis in childhood: 1972-1987]

We have carried out retrospective study of 190 children with dermatitis, aged from 2 to 14 years old. 67 (35%) of these children showed positive patch-test reactions. Nickel sulphate (35%) was the first allergen. Form 1979, once mercury was introduced in the GEIDC standard series, it becomes the more common iatrogenic allergen in childhood in our country. Other allergens also responsible for the dermatitis were mercaptobenzothiazole (12%), cobalt (9%) and p-phenylenediamine (7%).