Atopic diseases of childhood.
OBJECTIVE
The incidence of atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma, has increased in developed countries over the past several decades. These diseases comprise a large component of general pediatric practice. This review will highlight some of the recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis and natural history of these diseases, as well as the current approaches to the treatment of children with atopic diseases.


RESULTS
Recent studies have identified multiple risk factors for the development and progression of atopic diseases. As a result, much research is focused on identifying therapies that can be initiated at a young age to prevent disease progression. New treatment options have become available in recent years, such as topical immunomodulators for atopic dermatitis, leukotriene antagonists for seasonal allergic rhinitis, and alpha-immunoglobulin E therapy for asthma. The importance of viewing allergic rhinitis and asthma as disorders of a single airway has been emphasized. Finally, an update on the national asthma guidelines was recently released in an effort to promote optimal asthma care.


CONCLUSIONS
This review summarizes many of the recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of atopic diseases in children. Although not intended to be a comprehensive review of this broad field, it provides a framework for appreciating the complexity of these diseases and for effectively managing them.
D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D000072596:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1; D000072597:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D011804:Quinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000235:genetics; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D013440:Sulfides; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000085:Acetates; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D003521:Cyclopropanes; C442240:Havcr1 protein, mouse; C442241:Havcr2 protein, mouse; D000072596:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1; D000072597:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011804:Quinolines; D011991:Receptors, Virus; D013440:Sulfides; C117268:pimecrolimus; C093875:montelukast; D016559:Tacrolimus