Laboratory and severity evaluation of pediatric atopic dermatitis and moisturizer response in different phenotypes

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an eczematous skin disease. Our aim was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory findings of children with AD and identify the higher responsive group to moisturizers.

Total and specific IgE, eosinophil count, prick/patch test results of patients with AD were retrospectively analyzed. The presentation SCORAD was compared between the demographic and clinical subgroups. The SCORAD change (presentation to third month) between the intrinsic and extrinsic groups was compared. The effect of age, sex, disease duration, presentation SCORAD, being intrinsic/extrinsic, exclusive breastfeeding duration, familial atopy, total IgE, eosinophil count, concomitant illness presence, moisturizer use frequency and exacerbation frequency on SCORAD change was examined.

The mean age was 3.65±3.77 years. Food allergy was found in 5.90% and inhalant allergy was found in 12.67% of patients. 158 (44.5%) were mild, 154 (43.4%) were moderate and 43 (12.1%) were severe AD. 141 (39.7%) were intrinsic AD. The SCORAD at 3rd visit and SCORAD change was different between the intrinsic and extrinsic groups. SCORAD change was positively associated with presentation SCORAD, eosinophil count, moisturizer use frequency and being extrinsic AD.

The clinical and laboratory findings of AD patients in our community were revealed. Higher SCORAD and eosinophils at presentation, frequent daily moisturizer use and being extrinsic increased the moisturizer response. Although the barrier defect was shown to be lesser in intrinsic AD by considering transepidermal water loss, this study is the first to evaluate intrinsic and extrinsic AD patients according to response to moisturizers.