The natural history of childhood eczema: observations from the British 1958 birth cohort study

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Published on: August 7, 2017

H C Williams1, D P Strachan

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, U.K.hywel.williams@nottingham.ac.uk

The British Journal of Dermatology
|January 20, 1999
PubMed

Insights

This study on childhood atopic eczema found that while many cases appear to clear by adolescence, long-term prognosis may be worse due to recurrences. Early onset by age 7 is common, but long-term outcomes require careful consideration.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dermatology
  • Epidemiology
  • Longitudinal Cohort Studies

Background:

  • Atopic eczema is a common childhood condition.
  • Understanding its natural history, including onset and clearance, is crucial for effective management.
  • Longitudinal data are essential for tracking disease progression and long-term outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the age of onset and clearance rates of atopic eczema in a large birth cohort.
  • To investigate the long-term prognosis of childhood eczema, considering recurrences.
  • To compare community-ascertained eczema onset with hospital-based study findings.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of linked data from the National Child Development Study (NCDS) for 6877 children born in March 1958.
  • Data collected at birth and at ages 7, 11, 16, and 23 years.
  • Examination of onset, clearance, and recurrence of atopic eczema.

Main Results:

  • 66% of eczema cases by age 16 had onset by age 7.
  • Short-term clearance rates at ages 11 and 16 were 65% and 74%, respectively.
  • Long-term clearance rates, accounting for recurrences, were lower (53% and 65% at ages 11 and 16).

Conclusions:

  • Community-ascertained atopic eczema may have a later onset than suggested by hospital-based studies.
  • The long-term prognosis of childhood eczema may be poorer than previously thought, especially when recurrences are considered.
  • Longitudinal studies like NCDS are vital for understanding the true natural history of common childhood diseases.

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