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Patch testing in Israeli children with suspected allergic contact dermatitis: A retrospective study and literature review
Author(s) -
Zafrir Yaron,
Trattner Akiva,
Hodak Emmillia,
Eldar Oren,
Lapidoth Moshe,
Ben Amitai Dan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
pediatric dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.542
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1525-1470
pISSN - 0736-8046
DOI - 10.1111/pde.13333
Subject(s) - medicine , patch test , dermatology , patch testing , contact dermatitis , allergic contact dermatitis , potassium dichromate , atopic dermatitis , allergen , pediatrics , allergy , immunology , inorganic chemistry , chemistry
Background/objectives Childhood allergic contact dermatitis is recognized as a significant clinical problem. The objective was to evaluate the rate of positive patch tests in Israeli children with clinically suspected allergic contact dermatitis, identify possible sex and age differences, compare results with those in Israeli adults, and review pediatric studies in the literature. Methods The study sample included 343 children and adolescents (197 female, 146 male; 1‐18 years of age, mean age 11.8 years) with clinically suspected allergic contact dermatitis who underwent patch testing with a standard pediatric series of 23 allergens at a tertiary medical center from 1999 to 2012. Data on clinical characteristics and test results were collected retrospectively from the medical files. Results Ninety‐eight subjects (28.6%) (75 girls [38.1%], 23 boys [15.8%]) had at least one positive reaction. The most frequent reactions were to nickel sulfate, followed by potassium dichromate and cobalt chloride. Nickel sulfate sensitivity was more common in girls, especially those younger than 3 years and older than 12 years. The prevalence of contact sensitization was similar in subjects with and without atopic dermatitis (50% and 51%, respectively). Conclusion Nickel is the most common allergen in Israeli children, especially girls. Patch testing should be performed in children with clinically suspected allergic contact dermatitis regardless of atopic background.