Association Between Colonization and Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition common in early childhood. Acute exacerbation is frequently associated with colonization.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This study aims to explore the relationship between skin and nasal colonization with pediatric atopic dermatitis.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted by comparing atopic dermatitis patients aged ≤18 years and nondiseased controls. A random-effects model was used to obtain the pooled prevalence and odds ratio of colonization at eczematous skin, nonlesional skin, and nasal cavity. Subgroup analyses for colonization with methicillin-resistant were also evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 2,670 cases and 1,224 controls from 26 studies were included in the meta-analysis. colonization at eczematous skin and nasal cavity is significantly higher in atopic dermatitis compared to control with odds ratios of 10.55 (95% confidence interval [CI]; 4.85-22.92, < .001) and 2.38 (nasal cavity; 95% CI; 1.46-3.90, < .001), respectively. The pooled prevalence of skin and nasal colonization were 55.0% (eczematous skin; 95% CI; 38.3-71.7), 23.3% (nonlesional skin; 95% CI; 12.6-33.9), and 56.3% (95% CI; 43.2-69.4), respectively. Methicillin-resistant strain was obtained from the nares and eczematous skin with rates of 11.6% (95% CI; 6.5-16.7) and 8.5% (95% CI; 4.3-12.8), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Children with atopic dermatitis are more prone to skin and nasal colonization by compared to nondiseased individuals.