FREQUENCY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF MINOR CLINICAL-FEATURES IN VARIOUS AGE-RELATED SUBGROUPS OF ATOPIC-DERMATITIS IN CHILDREN

The frequency and significance of minor clinical features for the diag nosis of atopic dermatitis (AD) were evaluated in different age-relate d subgroups of 100 children (up to 12 yrs) with AD and an equal number of controls. Additional features studied were infraauricular fissurin g, diffuse scaling of the scalp, and Hertoghe sign, Features found to be nonspecific were ichthyosis, nipple eczema, cheilitis, keratoconus, anterior subcapsular cataract, pityriasis alba, anterior neck folds, and food intolerance, Other minor features were of variable significan ce in different age groups. Seasonal variation of AD was observed in 4 4% of patients, with worsening during winter in 29% and in summer in 1 5%. Of the additional features, diffuse scaling of the scalp and infra auricular fissuring were significant, but Hertoghe sign was not, It wa s therefore concluded that minor clinical features for the diagnosis o f AD need modification, with deletion of some of the present features and addition of newer ones.