Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disorder associated with a decreased ability of the skin to function as an efficient immunological barrier. The disease is now two to three times more prevalent in children than it was just four decades ago. It is manifested by eczematous skin lesions associated with severe itch, leading to a significant impairment in quality of life. Of additional importance, AD oftentimes progresses to allergic rhinitis and/or asthma, a process referred to as the "atopic march." Recent reports have indicated that daily application of moisturizing creams on neonates and infants can prevent the occurrence of AD and subsequently food allergies. This is postulated to be the outcome of restoring the barrier integrity of the skin through the daily application of moisturizer.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Parents of at-risk infants in the intervention arm will be instructed to apply moisturizer to the infant's entire body once daily for six months.
Cumulative incidence of AD at twelve months of age in the intervention group compared to the control
Evaluated using the UK refinement of the Hanifin and Rajka diagnostic criteria for atopic eczema and by parental report of a medical diagnosis of AD by the infant's pediatrician and/or dermatologist
Time frame: 12 months
Cumulative incidence of AD at six months of age in the intervention group compared to the control
Evaluated using the UK refinement of the Hanifin and Rajka diagnostic criteria for atopic eczema and by parental report of a medical diagnosis of AD by the infant's pediatrician and/or dermatologist
Time frame: 6 months
Cumulative incidence of AD at 24 months of age in the intervention group compared to the control
Evaluated using the UK refinement of the Hanifin and Rajka diagnostic criteria for atopic eczema and by parental report of a medical diagnosis of AD by the infant's pediatrician and/or dermatologist
Time frame: 24 months
Timing of onset of AD in the intervention group compared to the control
Evaluated using the UK refinement of the Hanifin and Rajka diagnostic criteria for atopic eczema and by parental report of a medical diagnosis of AD by the infant's pediatrician and/or dermatologist
Time frame: 12 months
Severity of AD in the intervention group compared to the control
Assessed using the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) questionnaire and accompanying scoring criteria. Additionally, it will be assessed by parental report of first steroidal indication by physician.
Time frame: 12 months
Cumulative incidence of food allergies at 12 months of age in the intervention group compared to the control
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Evaluated with the 2010 U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Survey Questionnaire.
Time frame: 12 months
Cumulative incidence of food allergies at 24 months of age in the intervention group compared to the control
Evaluated with the 2010 U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Survey Questionnaire.
Time frame: 24 months