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The prevalence of childhood atopic eczema in a general population
J Kay1, D J Gawkrodger, M J Mortimer
1University Department of Medicine, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Insights
The lifetime prevalence of atopic eczema (eczema) in children aged 3-11 is 20%. Breast-feeding and ear piercing did not impact eczema prevalence in this study population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Atopic eczema prevalence has increased in recent decades.
- Limited research exists on community-based atopic eczema prevalence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of atopic eczema in children.
- To investigate the age of onset for atopic eczema.
- To examine the relationship between atopic eczema, breast-feeding, and ear piercing.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 1104 children aged 3-11 years was identified from a general practice register.
- 1077 children (97.6% recruitment) were interviewed with parents/guardians.
- Data were collected using a survey form.
Main Results:
- Lifetime prevalence of atopic eczema was 20% in boys and 19% in girls.
- 60% of affected children developed eczema within the first year of life.
- Breast-feeding showed no effect on atopic eczema prevalence; ear piercing did not appear to perpetuate eczema.
Conclusions:
- The lifetime prevalence of atopic eczema in children aged 3-11 years is 20%.
- No evidence suggests ear piercing influences eczema in this age group.
- Breast-feeding does not offer protection against developing atopic eczema.
Background:
Atopic eczema has become more common during recent decades, but few studies have looked at its prevalence in the general community.
Objective:
Our purpose was to ascertain the prevalence of atopic eczema, its age of onset, and its relationship to breast-feeding and ear piercing in a general practice population.
Methods:
Children (N = 1104), aged 3 to 11 years, were identified from a computerized register in a socially and ethnically mixed English general practice population of 13,314. Of these, 1077 children (97.6% recruitment) were interviewed with parents or guardians, and the resultant data were recorded on a survey form.
Results:
The lifetime occurrence of atopic eczema was 20% in boys (12% in the past year) and 19% in girls (11% in the past year). Prevalence in the past year was 10% to 14% in boys aged 3 to 11 years but fell in girls from 15% at 3 to 5 years to 8% at 9 to 11 years. Atopic eczema developed in the first 12 months of life in 60% of the children who had the condition, and it developed in the first 6 months of life in three quarters of these children. Ear piercing had been performed in 35% of girls and 3% of boys and was most prevalent in social classes 3, 4, and 5. More than half the girls aged 9 to 11 years had pierced ears. Breast-feeding did not affect the prevalence of atopic eczema.
Conclusion:
The lifetime prevalence of atopic eczema was 20% in children aged 3 to 11 years. There was no evidence that ear piercing perpetuated eczema in this age group. Breast-feeding did not protect against the development of atopic eczema.