Allergic contact dermatitis in children and proposal for an Australian Paediatric Baseline Series.

BACKGROUND

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is an increasingly common diagnosis in children. The objectives of this study were to review our experience with ACD in children in tertiary settings, to ascertain the spectrum of allergens in this population and to subsequently propose the first Australian Paediatric Baseline Series for patch testing.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patch test data from 1993 to 2017 from two tertiary referral patch-testing centres in Melbourne, Victoria.

RESULTS

A total of 511 children were patch tested during the study period. Of these, 58.3% (298/511) of children tested had a positive patch test, and 65.1% (194/298, or 38.0% of the total) had a relevant positive patch test. The most common relevant patch test reactions were fragrance mix, methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) and methylisothiazolinone (MI), Myroxylon pereirae, nickel sulphate, and colophonium.

CONCLUSION

Allergic contact dermatitis is not uncommon in children, and patch testing should be considered in children with suspected ACD or with recalcitrant atopic dermatitis. Based on our experience over 25 years, we propose the first Australian Paediatric Baseline Series.