Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 4, 2026
Resolving Water, Proteins, and Lipids from In Vivo Confocal Raman Spectra of Stratum Corneum through a Chemometric Approach
Published on: September 26, 2019
The improvement of infantile atopic dermatitis during the maintenance period: A multicenter, randomized, parallel
Shan Wang1, Liuhui Wang2, Ping Li3
1Department of Dermatology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China.
Insights
Daily emollient treatment significantly improved infantile atopic dermatitis (AD) outcomes. Emollients reduced AD flares, extended time to flare, and improved eczema severity and quality of life in children.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Infantile atopic dermatitis (AD) requires effective maintenance strategies.
- Daily emollient use is a common recommendation, but its efficacy during the maintenance phase needs further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of daily emollient treatment during the maintenance period of infantile AD.
- To assess the impact on flare rates, time to flare, and clinical severity.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, randomized, parallel controlled trial involving 309 children with moderate infantile AD.
- Subjects received initial treatment with desonide cream and emollients, followed by a maintenance phase with either daily emollients or no treatment.
- Evaluated cumulative maintenance rate, time to flare, Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), and Infant's Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQOL).
Main Results:
- The emollient treatment group showed a significantly higher cumulative maintenance rate (60.5%) compared to the control group (23.5%) (p < .001).
- Median time to flare was significantly longer in the treatment group (90 days) versus the control group (28 days) (p < .001).
- EASI and IDQOL scores were significantly improved in the emollient group by Week 4 of the maintenance period.
Conclusions:
- Daily emollient application during the maintenance phase of infantile AD is effective.
- Emollient treatment significantly reduces the risk and frequency of AD flares.
- Emollients improve clinical symptoms and quality of life for infants with atopic dermatitis.
Abstract:
In order to investigate the effect of daily emollient treatment on infantile atopic dermatitis (AD) during the maintenance period, a total of 309 children younger than 2 years with moderate AD (155 and 154 in the treatment and control groups, respectively) were enrolled in this multicenter, randomized, parallel controlled clinical trial. Subjects were topically treated with desonide cream and emollients in Prinsepia utilis Royle for 2-4 weeks before entering the maintenance period and then differentially treated with either emollients for treatment or none for control. The cumulative maintenance rate, time to flare and improvement of eczema area and severity index (EASI) and infant's dermatitis quality of life index (IDQOL) were evaluated. Results showed that the cumulative maintenance rate of the treatment group (60.5%, 95% CI 50.0-69.4%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (23.5%, 95% CI 15.2-33.0%) (p < .001). The median time to flare in the treatment group was 90 days (interquartile range, IQR 28-90), which was significantly longer than that in the control group (28 days [IQR 18-67]) (p < .001). At Week 4 in the maintenance period, the EASI and IDQOL scores of the treatment group were lower than those of the control group. In conclusion, the application of emollients during the maintenance period of infantile AD can significantly reduce the risk of AD flares, prolong the time to flare and improve the clinical symptoms.
