Seborrhoeic eczema--a disease entity or a clinical variant of atopic eczema?

One hundred and thirty-eight children seen at the Dermatology Clinic between 1969 and 1972 were reviewed. The study comprised two groups--a study group of 76 children diagnosed as having seborrhoeic eczema, and a group of 62 children seen over the same time period at the same clinic and diagnosed as having atopic eczema. The children were examined and a family history obtained with particular reference to past or present history of atopic diseases. Serum IgE, blood eosinophil count, pulmonary function tests and skin prick testing to various allergens were measured in the two groups. In the seborrhoeic group, 19% had eczema, 20% had abnormal pulmonary function clinically; 25% had a raised eosinophil count, 44% a raised IgE level, 89% positive skin prick testing, and 52% a peak flow less than 80% of predicted value. These results indicate a closer than expected association between infantile seborrhoeic eczema and atopic disease.