Contact Sensitization in Pediatric Population With Atopic Dermatitis: A Retrospective Study of 80 Patients

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of allergic contact dermatitis among children with atopic dermatitis (AD), the most common sensitizer, and the associated risk factors.

This retrospective study included children with AD who underwent patch testing at our dermatology department between 2005 and 2021.

Eighty patients were included. The average age was 77.6 months (4 months-17 years), divided as follows: children (76.3%), infants (11.3%), and teenagers (10%). The sex ratio (M/F) was 1.35. Thirty-two patients (40%) had positive patch test results. Allergic contact dermatitis was significantly more frequent among patients with severe AD (40.6%) than among those with moderate or mild AD (16.7%, P = 0.017). The most frequent allergens were nickel sulfate (23.7%), cobalt chloride (12.5%), potassium dichromate (8.7%), textile dyes (6.2%), and lanolin (5%).

Contact allergies are a common problem in children with AD. They seem to be at risk of sensitization to certain allergens mainly metals and components of skincare products. Patch testing should be performed whenever allergic contact dermatitis is suspected and in cases of severe AD.