Growth parameters in children with atopic dermatitis in Erbil City, Kurdistan Region-Iraq

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. A disturbed sleep pattern, frequent potent topical and sometimes systemic corticosteroid use, and diet restriction, all of which could affect child’s growth. Objective: This study determined height and weight impairment in children with atopic dermatitis. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study took children with atopic dermatitis ≤18 years, which was conducted in the “Erbil Dermatology Teaching Center.” The patients’ data included sociodemographic information, family history, drug history, and present complaints. The severity of the disease evaluated using SCORAD score. The weight was recorded using a medical electronic weighing machine, and standing height was recorded using a stadiometer. Results: Among 100 children with atopic dermatitis, their mean of age was 6.84±1.8 years. Males and Females frequencies were 54 and 46, respectively. The family history of atopic dermatitis was positive in 73%. Generally disturbed sleep pattern was dominant, and almost all severe AD patients had disturbed sleep (87.5%). The severity of AD was classified by SCORAD score to mild (23%), moderate (69%), and severe (8%). Patients having their growth percentile for weight and height for age below 3rd percentile were 10% and 3%, respectively. Patients’ weight and height for age below 25th percentile were 15% and 9%, respectively. Conclusions: Atopic dermatitis can affect the height and weight of the children inversely. The study sample’s most dominant character was sleep pattern disturbances, which can affect both weight and height.