J Korean Acad Child Health Nurs.  2008 Jul;14(3):285-294.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Atopic Dermatitis in Pre-school and School Aged Children

• Lee YM
• Hwang SW

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was done to estimate the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) and its risk factors for AD in children living in the community. METHOD: Random samples of 10,236 were selected from 43 kindergarten (1,418) and 57 elementary (8,718) students in K city. Data from 1,079 (kindergarten children) and 7,271 (elementary) students were used in the final analysis. The Korean-translated modified version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISSAC) questionnaire was used in this cross-sectional survey. Parents answered the survey questionnaire.
RESULTS
The lifetime and last 12-month prevalence of AD were 40.15%; 30.86% in kindergarten children and 33.56%; 25.37% in elementary children. The lifetime and last 12-month prevalence of AD diagnosis were 40.8%; 18.68% in kindergarten children and 34.36%; 12.63% in elementary children. The lifetime prevalence of AD treatment was 25.93% in kindergarten children and 22.07% in elementary children. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that risk factors for AD were age, allergic disease, age of house, carpets, pets.
CONCLUSION
The study suggests that prevalence of AD has increased among children in the community. These data can be used to manage possible risk factors that are predictors of childhood AD.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; Child; Prevalence; Risk factor

MeSH Terms

Aged
Asthma
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dermatitis, Atopic
Floors and Floorcoverings
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Logistic Models
Parents
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Child Health
Surveys and Questionnaires