Timing of introduction to solid food, eczema and wheezing in later childhood: a longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

The timing of introduction to solid food has been associated with eczema and wheezing in childhood. Our aim was to determine whether differences persist within the recommended 4 to 6 month age range.

METHODS

A longitudinal cohort study with repeated measures was conducted among children from birth to 10 years of age who were participating in the TARGet Kids! practice based research network in Toronto, Canada. The primary exposure was the timing of introduction to infant cereal as the first solid food. The primary outcome was eczema and the secondary outcome was wheezing collected by parent report using the validated International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. Multinomial generalized estimating equations were used and effect modification by family history of asthma and breastfeeding duration were explored.

RESULTS

Of the 7843 children included, the mean (standard deviation) age of introduction to infant cereal was 5.7 (1.9) months. There was evidence for family history of asthma and breastfeeding duration to be effect modifiers in the eczema (P = 0.04) and wheezing (P = 0.05) models. Introduction to infant cereal at 4 vs. 6 months of age was associated with higher odds of eczema (OR 1.62; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.35; P = 0.01) among children without a family history of asthma who were not breastfeeding when solid foods were introduced. Introduction to infant cereal at 4 vs. 6 months of age was associated with a higher odds of wheezing (OR 1.31; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.52; P < .001) among children without a family history of asthma who were breastfeeding when solid foods were introduced. There was little evidence of an association among the remaining strata for either outcome.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study support recommendations to introduce solid food around 6 months of age.

Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on the severity of atopic dermatitis in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a common dermatosis in children, that includes skin architecture defects, immune dysregulation, and changes of skin flora. Several new drugs have been found to reduce the severity of AD. Vitamin D is one of the new therapies that is still controversial. The purpose of this research is to conclude the efficacy of vitamin D on atopic dermatitis severity in children aged 0-18 years old. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on the PubMed, Cochrane, ProQuest, Google Scholar, Clinical Trial website, and university repositories including studies published from January 2010 through October 2020. We compared populations, intervention, study design, and outcomes. Statistical analysis was done with Review Manager 5.4.1. Results: Eight articles met eligibility and inclusion criteria, four articles provided complete data and were analysed. Not all studies demonstrated the efficacy of vitamin D but a meta-analysis of four studies of vitamin D supplementation vs placebo found a mean difference of -0.93 (95%CI -1.76, to -0.11, p<0.001) of patient outcome, but statistically, there was no difference in cure rate (risk ratio 1.46 (95%CI 0.72, to 2.97, p=0.008) in vitamin D supplementation groups compared to placebo groups. Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation in paediatric atopic dermatitis patients could offer improvement of disease severity but the recommended dose and duration of administration cannot be concluded yet.

Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on the severity of atopic dermatitis in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a common dermatosis in children, that includes skin architecture defects, immune dysregulation, and changes of skin flora. Several new drugs have been found to reduce the severity of AD. Vitamin D is one of the new therapies that is still controversial. The purpose of this research is to conclude the efficacy of vitamin D on atopic dermatitis severity in children aged 0-18 years old. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on the PubMed, Cochrane, ProQuest, Google Scholar, Clinical Trial website, and university repositories including studies published from January 2010 through October 2020. We compared populations, intervention, study design, and outcomes. Statistical analysis was done with Review Manager 5.4.1. Results: Eight articles met eligibility and inclusion criteria, four articles provided complete data and were analysed. Not all studies demonstrated the efficacy of vitamin D but a meta-analysis of four studies of vitamin D supplementation vs placebo found a mean difference of -0.93 (95%CI -1.76, to -0.11, p<0.001) of patient outcome, but statistically, there was no difference in cure rate (risk ratio 1.46 (95%CI 0.72, to 2.97, p=0.008) in vitamin D supplementation groups compared to placebo groups. Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation in paediatric atopic dermatitis patients could offer improvement of disease severity but the recommended dose and duration of administration cannot be concluded yet.

Global Guidelines in Dermatology Mapping Project (GUIDEMAP) - a systematic review of atopic dermatitis clinical practice guidelines: are they clear, unbiased, trustworthy and evidence based (CUTE)?

BACKGROUND

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are essential in delivering optimum health care, such as for atopic dermatitis (AD), a highly prevalent skin disease. Although many CPGs are available for AD, their quality has not been critically appraised.

OBJECTIVE

To identify CPGs on AD worldwide and assess with validated instruments if those CPGs are clear, unbiased, trustworthy and evidence based (CUTE).

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Emcare, Epistemonikos, PsycINFO and Academic Search Premier for CPGs on AD published between 1 April 2016 and 1 April 2021. Additionally we hand searched prespecified guideline resources. Screening, data extraction and quality assessment of eligible guidelines were independently carried out by two authors. Instruments used for quality assessment were the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II Reporting Checklist, the U.S. Institute of Medicine's (IOM) criteria of trustworthiness and Lenzer's Red Flags.

RESULTS

Forty CPGs were included, mostly from countries with a high socio-demographic index. The reported quality varied enormously. Three CPGs scored 'Excellent' on all AGREEII-domains: Columbia, the Netherlands and United Kingdom (UK; antimicrobials). Three CPGs scored 'Poor' on all domains: Poland (phototherapy), Romania and Serbia. We found no association between AGREEII-scores and a country's gross domestic product. One CPG fully met all nine IOM criteria (Malaysia) and two fully met eight (European dupilumab and UK antimicrobials). Three CPGs had no red flags: Malaysia, South Korea and UK antimicrobials. 'Applicability' and 'Rigour of development' were the lowest scoring AGREEII domains; 'Lack of external review', 'Updating procedures' and 'Rating strength of recommendations' met the least IOM criteria; and most red flags were for 'Limited or no involvement of methodological expertise' and 'No external review'. Management of conflict of interests (COI) appeared challenging. When constructs of the instruments overlapped, they showed high concordance, strengthening our conclusions.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, many CPGs are not clear, unbiased, trustworthy or evidence based (CUTE) enough and lack applicability. Therefore improvement is warranted, for which using the AGREEII instrument is recommended. Some improvements can be easily accomplished through robust reporting. Others, such as transparency, applicability, evidence foundation and managing COI, might require more effort.

Recent Developments and Advances in Atopic Dermatitis: A Focus on Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment in the Pediatric Setting

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects a substantial number of children and has a significant negative impact on affected patients and their caregivers/families. Recent studies have led to significant evolutions in the understanding of AD pathogenesis, epidemiology, and treatment. The first point of contact for many patients with new-onset AD is usually with their primary care provider or pediatrician. This underscores the importance for pediatricians to understand the basic pathophysiology and current standards of care for AD. This article provides up-to-date information and reviews the basic principles of AD pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. In addition, the article highlights recent advances in scientific research regarding the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis that have resulted in the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and the development of targeted biologic therapies with the potential to revolutionize AD therapy.

The Unmet Needs in Atopic Dermatitis Control in Latin America: A Multidisciplinary Expert Perspective

Introduction

Adoption of control tools for atopic dermatitis (AD) in Latin America (LA) is currently very limited. Clinical assessment tools represent a practical method to measure the impact of treatment on disease activity and on the quality of life of patients. However, the use of these tools in the LA clinical practice setting is limited.

Methods

A selected panel of Latin American experts in fields related to atopic dermatitis were provided with a series of relevant questions to address prior to the multi-day conference. Within this conference, each narrative was discussed and edited by the entire group, through numerous drafts and rounds of discussion, until a consensus was achieved.

Results

The panel proposes specific and realistic recommendations for implementing control tools for AD care in LA. In creating these recommendations, the authors strove to address all barriers to the widespread use of these tools.

Conclusion

This article includes a narrative analysis of barriers to AD control in LA and provides necessary recommendations to integrate and increase the use of validated AD control assessment tools throughout the region.

Diagnosis and management of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adolescents. A Consensus by the Italian Society of Dermatology and Venereology (SIDeMaST), the Italian Association of Hospital Dermatologists and Public Health (ADOI), the Italian Association of Hospital and Territorial Allergists and Immunologists (AAIITO), the Italian Society of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology (SIAAIC), the Italian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (SIAIP), the Italian Society of Allergological, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology (SIDAPA), and the Italian Society of Pediatric Dermatology (SIDerP)

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease with increasing global incidence, which has a multifactorial pathogenesis and a variable expressivity. Clinical features of AD are different in adults compared to children, but it is well recognized the substantial impact of the disease on patients' quality of life at any age. Indeed, little is known about AD in adolescence, a period of life generally associated with high psychological burden and vulnerability to depression. Guidelines for the management of AD are available for both children and adults but specific guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AD in adolescents are lacking. Seven Italian scientific societies of dermatologists, allergists, and pediatric allergists joined in a specific meeting to provide practical guidance for the diagnosis and management of moderate-to-severe adolescent AD suitable for the Italian clinical practice. Through a modified Delphi procedure, consensus was reached by 59 Italian experts in the management of AD on 20 statements covering five areas of interest about adolescent AD, including disease complexity, burden and social impact, diagnosis and definition of severity, current treatments, and new biologic therapies. This paper reports recommendations for the diagnosis and management of AD specifically in adolescents, pointing out some peculiar clinical features and focusing on the choice of medications. Dupilumab, the first biologic approved for the treatment of adolescents with AD, represents a useful treatment option due to its efficacy and reassuring safety profile.

Approach to the Assessment and Management of Pediatric Patients With Atopic Dermatitis: A Consensus Document. Section IV: Consensus Statements on the Assessment and Management of Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

This document is intended to provide practical guidance to physicians treating pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD), especially dermatologists, pediatricians, allergists, and other health-care professionals. The recommendations contained here were formalized based on a consensus of 12 Canadian pediatric dermatologists, dermatologists, pediatricians, and pediatric allergists with extensive experience managing AD in the pediatric population. A modified Delphi process was adopted with iterative voting on a 5-point Likert scale, with a prespecified agreement cutoff of 75%. Topic areas addressed in the 17 consensus statements reflect areas of practical management, including counselling, assessment, comorbidity management, and therapy.