ASSESSMENT OF ATOPIC DERMATITIS PREVALENCE IN CHILDREN AGED 6 MONTHS TO 12 YEARS

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory, scaly disease, which is sometimes persistent and is one of the most common dermatological diseases among children. This has increased significantly within the past several decades, and has resulted in a convoluted assortment of links among genetic disposition, epidermal barrier dysfunction, immune malregulation, microbiome modification, food sensitisation and environmental triggers. Early diagnosis and proper management in primary health-care units are necessary in terms of minimization of symptom burden, prevention of complications and enhancement of the quality of life. Duration and Place of Study: Primary Health Care Corporation Doha, Qatar from March 2025 to March 2026 Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence, demographic and treatment trends of atopic dermatitis amongst children with primary health-care clinics between the ages of 6 months and 12 years old. Methodology: Electronic medical records of paediatric patients, with at least one visit to the dermatology clinic, and diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, were reviewed in a cross-sectional review. Data that was extracted covered age, sex distribution, frequency of AD diagnoses and typically prescribed therapeutic interventions. Results: Among 1000 children (500 males, 500 females) who presented themselves at the dermatology clinics, 300 were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis and this provided a prevalence of 30. The average age of the affected kids was 5.1±3.5 years, ranging from 6 months to 12 years. The age-group distribution showed that 19% were below 1 year, 41% were between 1-5 years of age, 19% were between 5-8 years old and 21% were between 8-12 years old. There was a slight prevalence of AD in boys, 155(31%), than in girls, 145(29%). Patterns of treatment were that topical emollients were recommended in about 90% of cases, oral antihistamines (~80%), and antibiotics (~55%). Topical corticosteroids were used on only about 70(7%) cases and this suggests a strict treatment approach towards steroid therapy. Conclusions: The existing study shows that the prevalence of atopic dermatitis is extremely high in children who attend primary health-care centres, particularly among the younger children. The findings highlight the essence of enhanced awareness, early diagnosis, and routine management procedures in primary care. Further efforts to improve treatment pathways standardisation and further training of caregivers can help in reducing the burden of disease and improving long-term outcomes in children with the disease.