[Ketotifen in the treatment of pediatric atopic eczema]

Clinical effectiveness of ketotifen was evaluated in 15 children, aged 1-3 years, affected by atopic eczema likely due to food allergy. The study, lasting 15 weeks, was divided, according to the protocol, as follow: week run-in period with a restrictive diet; 8 week ketotifen therapy (the first 2 weeks with restrictive diet and the following 6 with free diet); 4 week follow-up phase with free diet. The adherence to treatment was complete in 11 patients; in 6 children symptomatology disappeared, 4 patients had fair improvement. The drug lasted only partially for a maximum 2 week period following the withdrawal. Side-effects (vomiting, enuresis, night restlessness) were moderate, short lasting and did not require the interruption of the protocol. Moreover, a mean 1 kg body weight increase was noticed.