Contact sensitization in very young children.

BACKGROUND

Allergic contact dermatitis is an increasingly recognized clinical problem in children.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to evaluate contact sensitization in patients younger than 3 years of age with suspected contact dermatitis.

METHODS

During a 6-year period (2002-2008), 321 children underwent routine patch testing with a screening pediatric standard series of 30 allergens.

RESULTS

Two hundred children (62.3%; 102 girls and 98 boys aged 3-36 months [mean age 27 + 5.6 months]) developed at least one positive reaction. The most frequent reactions were to nickel sulfate (26.8%), followed by potassium dichromate (9%), cocamidopropylbetaine (7.2%), cobalt chloride (6.2%), neomycin sulfate (5%), and methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (4.4%). The prevalence of contact sensitization was similar in children with (61.3%) and without (63%) atopic dermatitis.

LIMITATIONS: The prevalence of contact sensitization in children younger than 3 years of age was not compared with the prevalence in older children.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of contact sensitization was found in preschool children, even younger than 3 years of age. Patch testing should be considered in this age group when persistent dermatitis does not respond to conventional treatment.