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Gastrointestinal symptoms in atopic eczema
C Caffarelli1, G Cavagni, F M Deriu
1Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Parma, Italy.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|June 5, 1998
Summary
Gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting are common in children with eczema, particularly with widespread skin issues. These symptoms may be linked to food allergies and contribute to the condition's development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Gastroenterology
- Allergy Immunology
Background:
- Atopic eczema is a prevalent skin condition in children.
- Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are frequently reported in children but their association with eczema is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of GI symptoms in children diagnosed with atopic eczema.
- To explore the relationship between GI symptoms and the severity of eczema or positive skin prick test (SPT) results.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 65 children with atopic eczema and a matched control group.
- Data collection included parental questionnaires on GI symptoms, physical examinations, anthropometric measurements, and SPTs for food allergens.
Main Results:
- Children with eczema exhibited a higher incidence of GI symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, and regurgitation.
- Diarrhea was associated with specific food ingestions.
- GI symptoms correlated with diffuse eczema and positive SPTs to foods, but no anthropometric differences were observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- Gastrointestinal disorders are common in children with eczema, especially those with diffuse skin involvement.
- These GI issues may contribute to disease pathogenesis, symptom severity, and associated failure to thrive.