Childhood Atopic Dermatitis in Taiwan.
The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) appears to have increased dramatically over the past decades. It is generally believed that such rapid increase in prevalence cannot be explained fully by genetic factors. Environmental factors might play a role in such an increment. Children with AD are most likely to suffer considerable school absences, family stress, and health care expenditures. Because the onset of AD occurs relatively early in life, identification of early life risk factors and early management for AD to prevent the development of atopic march are of critical importance. However, there is still no consensus on coordinated prevention and management for AD in Taiwan. In this review, we discuss the specific risk factors of AD and important results of recent articles on AD from Taiwan. The management and prevention strategies of AD for Asian skin are also discussed.
Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Health Risk Management, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: wij636@gmail.com.
I-Jen
IJ
Wang
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Jiu-Yao
JY
Wang
Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkuo, and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Kuo-Wei
KW
Yeh
D002648:Child; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
atopic dermatitis; environmental factors; prevention