CONTACT SENSITIZATION IN CHILDREN

Our study concerns contact sensitization in children, the frequency of which is still debated in the literature, even though specific report s are increasing, During a 7 year period (1988-1994) 670 patients, 6 m onths to 12 years of age, were patch tested with the European standard series, integrated with 24 haptens, at the same concentrations as for adults, We observed positive results in 42% of our patients, Thimeros al, nickel sulfate, Kathon CG, fragrance mix, neomycin, wool alcohols, and ammoniated mercury induced most of the positive responses, The hi ghest sensitization rate was found in children from 0 to 3 years of ag e, Comments on main positive haptens are reported, Seventy-seven perce nt of our sensitized patients were atopics, suggesting that atopy repr esents a predisposing factor for contact hypersensitivity. Patch testi ng represents a useful diagnostic procedure for the definition of chil dhood eczematous dermatitis and for the identification of agents induc ing contact sensitization which is frequently associated with atopic d ermatitis.