Original Contribution ATOPIC DERMATITIS IN CHILDREN WITH HIGH MEDICAL AND SOCIAL RISK PLACED IN HOME FOR MEDICAL-SOCIAL CARE

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common skin diseases in children with onset at first six months of life. It is caused by various environmental, climatic and orphanage conditions. This study evaluates the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in younger children (0-10 years) with high medical and social risk, placed in the Home for Medico-social Care, and also to describe the relationship between AD and different environmental factors in this closed society outside the family. We performed clinical examination and retrospective study of 104 children at birth and/or entering into the Home. Presence of AD was determined using the diagnostic criteria defined by Hanifin and Rajka retrospective study. From the study group 7 % had AD whereas 2 % entered the home with the features of the disease. All children were growing up under permanent medical care control in a special regimen needed for the psycho-emotional growth and quality of life. Dust and allergens in the Home were reduced to minimum. The low frequency of AD in children from the Government Run Home for Medico-Social Care was a result of low-risk environmental conditions, including low allergen level. Key words: frequency of atopic dermatitis, environmental factors, institutional factor