Allergic contact dermatitis in children.
BACKGROUND
Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is equally as likely in infancy as in adulthood, and represents 20% of all cases of dermatitis in children. Its true prevalence and incidence are, however, unknown.


METHODS
We have conducted a retrospective study over 10 years of a group of patients aged 15 years or less, with clinical suspicion of ACD. Patch tests were performed in accordance with the standards of the GEIDC.


RESULTS
The study covered 96 patients with a mean age of 10.57+/-0.67 years. The zones most frequently affected by eczemas were those of diffuse distribution (28% of patients) and of the hands (27%). We found at least one positive response in 52% of the cases. The most frequent allergens were thiomersal (21%), mercury (19%) and nickel (18%). We have found a statistically significant association between age of less than 15 years and positive response to thiomersal [P<0.01; OR: 8.5 with confidence interval (CI) 95%: 5.08<odds ratio (OR)<14.20] and mercury (P<0.01; OR: 4.38 with CI 95%: 3.02<OR<6.33).


CONCLUSIONS
With increasing age, nickel takes the place of the mercurials as the principal allergen.
Fernández Vozmediano
J M
JM
Servicio Dermatología, Hospital Universitario Puerto Real, Universidad de Cádiz, Spain. fdezvozmediano@dermasur.com
Armario Hita
J C
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010328:Patch Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology