Pediatric contact allergy: A comparative study with adults

Abstract

Background: Pediatric allergic contact dermatitis is increasing. The patch test allergens included in pediatric baseline series vary globally. The worldwide prevalence of pediatric reactions to allergens needs clarification. Objectives: Identify the prevalence, associated factors, and culprit allergens for contact allergy among patch-tested Thai children, and compare with those for adults. Methods: Baseline series patch test results from 2010-2019 were collected for patients younger than 18 years of age. As a control group, sex-matched adult patients were randomly selected. The results and characteristics of the two groups were compared. Results: The median age of 112 patch tested pediatric patients was 16 (range 2-17) years. Of the children, 35.5% had at least one positive reaction, significantly less than the 56.6% for adults. The five most common pediatric allergens were nickel sulfate (12.1%), potassium dichromate (8.0%), methylisothiazolinone (7.1%), fragrance mix II (6.0%), and carba mix (5.4%). Although similar, the 10 most common allergens of the groups differed in order. Positive reactions to cosmetic allergens were significantly less frequent among the children. Many allergens remained entirely negative. Conclusions: The prevalence of positive reactions was lower in children, varying by population and region. The top-10 pediatric and adult causative allergens were almost identical. We recommend using the same baseline patch test series for children and adults in our region.

Contact allergy in a paediatric population observed in a tertiary referral centre in Belgium

“…12,17,19 The mean age of our patch tested children was 10.9, which is younger than reported in some other recent studies, that is, 13.3 and 14.5 years, respectively. 18,20 A female predominance (ratio almost 2:1) was noted in children with a positive patch test, which confirms the results of most previous studies. 12 Within our study population, about half of the children were known with pre-existing AD (54.4%), a significant figure in contrast to other recent European studies.…”

“…Other recent European studies show even higher rates in their selected patient population (46.7% and 46%, respectively 3,18 ), while the prevalence rates in North America are even significantly higher 12,17,19 . The mean age of our patch tested children was 10.9, which is younger than reported in some other recent studies, that is, 13.3 and 14.5 years, respectively 18,20 …”

Contact allergy in children with and without atopic dermatitis: An Italian multicentre study

“…31 We observed a prevalence of fragrance allergy similar to that of recent studies, 2,4 even if in our study a higher sensitivity rate for fragrance mix-2 (3.2%) than fragrance mix-1 (2.1%) was documented. The greater role of new fragrances than old fragrances as contact sensitizers in children, also recently observed by others, 41 confirms the necessity to periodically re-evaluate the fragrance mix composition according to EU cosmetic legislation. 42 Moreover, the significant difference of positive patch test reactions to fragrance mix-1 between children with and without AD is controversial in literature, confirming the findings of previous studies 22,43 and differing from others.…”

Contact allergy to oxidized linalool and oxidized limonene: Patch testing in consecutive patients with dermatitis

“…linalool, respectively 37 . In general, contact sensitization is uncommon in children or young adults, and the prevalence rates of positive reactions were found to be lower in children for most of the allergens in the baseline series 38 . Early and prolonged exposure to allergens could be an explanation for diagnosing contact sensitization cases in the lower age groups of patients.…”

“…Surprisingly, we found that the patients who had exclu- 37 In general, contact sensitization is uncommon in children or young adults, and the prevalence rates of positive reactions were found to be lower in children for most of the allergens in the baseline series. 38 Early and prolonged exposure to allergens could be an explanation for diagnosing contact sensitization cases in the lower age groups of patients. Limonene and linalool were also found in nearly 30% of baby care products, 10 while other common allergens in fragrance mix I and II were rarely found.…”