Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 22, 2025
Resolving Water, Proteins, and Lipids from In Vivo Confocal Raman Spectra of Stratum Corneum through a Chemometric Approach
Published on: September 26, 2019
Atopic dermatitis in the pediatric population: A cross-sectional, international epidemiologic study
Jonathan I Silverberg1, Sebastien Barbarot2, Abhijit Gadkari3
1Department of Dermatology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Insights
Global atopic dermatitis (AD) affects many children worldwide. This study found significant prevalence across 18 countries, with severe cases generally below 15%.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Epidemiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Global prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children is not well-established.
- Understanding pediatric AD prevalence is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the global prevalence of pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD).
- To assess the severity of AD in the pediatric population worldwide.
Main Methods:
- An international, cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted in 18 countries.
- Prevalence was determined using International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) criteria combined with physician diagnosis and self-report.
- Disease severity was assessed using Patient Global Assessment (PtGA) and Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM).
Main Results:
- 12-month diagnosed AD prevalence ranged from 2.7% to 20.1% across countries.
- Reported AD prevalence (ISAAC criteria only) ranged from 13.5% to 41.9%.
- Severe AD, assessed by PtGA and POEM, was generally less than 15%.
Conclusions:
- Atopic dermatitis (AD) impacts a significant portion of the global pediatric population.
- Prevalence and severity of AD varied by country and age group.
- Less than 15% of pediatric AD cases were classified as severe.
Background:
Little is known on the current global prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in the pediatric population.
Objective:
To estimate the real-world global prevalence of AD in the pediatric population and by disease severity.
Methods:
This international, cross-sectional, web-based survey of children and adolescents (6 months to <18 years old) was conducted in the following 18 countries: North America (Canada, United States), Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico), Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom), Middle East and Eurasia (Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Russia), and East Asia (Japan, Taiwan). Prevalence was determined using the following 2 definitions: (1) diagnosed as having AD according to the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) criteria and self- or parent-report of ever being told by a physician that they or their child child had AD (eczema); and (2) reported AD based on the ISAAC criteria only. Severity was assessed using the Patient Global Assessment (PtGA) and Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM).
Results:
Among 65,661 responders, the 12-month diagnosed AD prevalence (ISAAC plus self-reported diagnosis) ranged from 2.7% to 20.1% across countries; reported AD (ISAAC only) was 13.5% to 41.9%. Severe AD evaluated with both PtGA and POEM was generally less than 15%; more subjects rated AD as mild on PtGA than suggested by POEM. No trends in prevalence were observed based on age or sex; prevalence was generally lower in rural residential settings than urban or suburban.
Conclusion:
This global survey in 18 countries revealed that AD affects a substantial proportion of the pediatric population. Although prevalence and severity varied across age groups and countries, less than 15% had severe AD.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:20Study Designs in Epidemiology
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and...
01:24Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma