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Evaluation of Patch Test Results in Paediatric Patients in a Tertiary Dermatology Clinic
Didem Kazan1, Evren Odyakmaz-Demirsoy1, Hatice Eloglu1
1From the Department of Dermatology, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
Insights
Common allergens causing allergic contact dermatitis in children include balsam of Peru, nickel, and fragrance mix-1. Regional variations necessitate the development of region-specific patch test series for accurate pediatric diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Allergology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Allergic contact dermatitis is a prevalent condition in both children and adults.
- Identifying common pediatric allergens is crucial as sources vary geographically.
- Regional differences in allergen prevalence pose diagnostic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the most frequent allergens causing contact sensitivity in pediatric patients within a specific region.
- To establish a standardized patch test series tailored for pediatric populations.
- To determine common exposure routes for identified allergens.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of European baseline series patch test results from 61 pediatric patients.
- Data collected between June 2013 and January 2021.
- Analysis of allergen positivity, patient demographics, and clinical factors.
Main Results:
- 64% of patients showed positivity to at least one allergen.
- The most common allergens were balsam of Peru (18%), nickel (13.1%), and fragrance mix-1 (11.4%).
- A significant relationship was observed between the duration of complaints and patch test results (P=0.007).
Conclusions:
- Pediatric allergens causing contact dermatitis differ by region, complicating diagnosis.
- Development of region-specific standardized pediatric patch tests is recommended.
- Tailored diagnostic tools can improve the management of allergic contact dermatitis in children.
Background And Objectives:
Allergic contact dermatitis is common in childhood as well as in adulthood. Children could be affected by numerous allergens. Allergen sources could change by region. In this study, we aimed to identify the most common allergens that cause contact sensitivity in paediatric patients in our region to make a standardized patch test series and define the ways of exposure to these allergens.
Materials And Methods:
Between June 2013 and January 2021, a total of 61 patients' European baseline series patch test results were evaluated.
Results:
Among 61 patients, 36 (%59) were female and 25 (%41) were male. The mean age was 10.4 years. Positivity with at least one allergen was present in 39 (64%) cases. The most common allergens with positive reactions were balsam of Peru (BOP) in 11 (18%) patients, nickel in eight (13.1%) patients, and fragrance mix-1 in seven (11.4%) patients. No statically significant difference was found between patch test results and gender (P = 0.109), atopy (P = 0.774), atopic dermatitis (P = 0.662), hobby (P = 0.377) and side of lesions (P = 0.826). However, there was a significant relationship between the duration of complaints and patch test results (P = 0.007).
Conclusion:
The responsible allergen in paediatric patients may vary especially by region, thus this could be challenging for diagnosis. Therefore, each region should create its own specific standardized paediatric patch tests.
