title: Cumulative prevalence of atopic eczema and related skin symptoms in a well-baby clinic: a retrospective cohort study.
abstract: The aim of the study was to assess the frequency and treatment policy of atopic eczema (AE) and related skin symptoms including rash, redness, dryness and itch in 0- to 5-year-old children. Health records of 320 children born in 1994 were systematically studied. The main results were that 77% of children suffered from skin symptoms during their first 5 years while the cumulative prevalence of AE was 16%, and 11% of children with skin symptoms were referred to a specialist. AE and related skin symptoms were common in the first 5 years of life, and were mostly temporary and responsive to topical treatment. Well-baby clinics play a key role in the treatment of skin-symptomatic children.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, Medical School, University of Tampere Paediatric Research Center, Tampere University Hospital and University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. elina.pm.lehtonen@uta.fi
authors.forename: Elina Pia-Maria
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Lehtonen
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Holmberg-Marttila
authors.forename: Minna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaila
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000367:Age Factors; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002662:Child Health Services; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005076:Exanthema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005865:Gestational Age; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007229:Infant Welfare; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists