title: Growth in atopic eczema.
abstract: Growth was studied in 68 children aged 2-12 years with atopic eczema. Height SD scores were significantly correlated with the surface area of skin affected by eczema. The mean height of 41 patients with less than 50% of their skin surface affected (group I) was normal (mean SD score -0.11). The 27 children with more than 50% of their skin affected (group II) were significantly shorter (SD score -0.83) and were also short allowing for their parental target height. The predicted heights were also normal in group I but were lower than expected in group II. Regression analysis suggested that height was most dependent on parental height. The extent of the disease had a significant additional effect, whereas dietary treatment and treatment with topical steroids had only marginal additional effects. The growth of children with eczema affecting less than 50% of the skin surface area appears to be normal, and impaired growth is confined to those with more extensive disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, University of Manchester.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Massarano
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hollis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Devlin
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: David
mesh_terms: D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D001827:Body Height; D001830:Body Surface Area; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications* / Q000178:diet therapy; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male