Eczema Prevalence in the United States: Data from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health

Abstract

Using the 2003 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) sponsored by the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau, we calculated prevalence estimates of eczema nationally and for each state among a nationally representative sample of 102,353 children 17 years of age and under. Our objective was to determine the national prevalence of eczema/atopic dermatitis in the United States pediatric population and to further examine geographic and demographic associations previously reported in other countries. Overall, 10.7% of children were reported to have a diagnosis of eczema in the last 12 months. Prevalence ranged from 8.7% to 18.1% between states and districts, with the highest prevalence reported in many of the East Coast states, as well as Nevada, Utah, and Idaho. After adjusting for confounders, metropolitan living was found to be a significant factor in predicting a higher disease prevalence with an OR of 1.67 (95% confidence interval of 1.19-2.35, p=0.008). Black race (OR 1.70, p=0.005) and education level in the household greater than high school (OR 1.61, p=0.004) were also significantly associated with a higher prevalence of eczema. The wide range of prevalence suggests social or environmental factors may influence disease expression.

Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis in Korean Children Based on Data From the 2008-2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

“…19 Several previous reports have shown that there is no significant relationship between AD and demographic data, such as gender, BMI, and height. 13,[20][21][22] Likewise, in our study, BMI, height, weight, and waist circumference were not associated with AD in Korean children after adjusting for age.…”

“…7 This can be compared to a 12%-13% prevalence of childhood AD (6-13 years of age) in the Japan mainland. 15 Likewise, the prevalence of eczema in US children at 0 to 17 years of age is 10.7%, 13 while the point prevalence of flexural eczema is 14.2% in 8-to 12-year-old schoolchildren in Sweden. 16 AD was found to be associated with income level, age, and place of residence.…”

“…Further investigation into the influence of age, sex, geography, economic status, and place of residence were performed because these factors have previously been shown to correlate with the prevalence of AD in US and European populations. 12,13 According to KNHANES, monthly income was standardized according to the number of family members (monthly income/number of family members) and was divided into 4 quartile groups: lowest, lower middle, higher middle, and highest. Children were categorized in the low income group if their parents' income belonged to the lowest quartile.…”

New insights in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis

“…It affects up to 25% of children worldwide and 10-20% of children in the United States (1,2). AD is associated with food allergy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.…”

Prevalence and determinants of eczema among females aged 21 to 32 years in Jeddah city – Saudi Arabia

“…Eczema affects approximately 5 to 20 percent of children worldwide [4]; in the United States, it is approximately 11 percent [5]. Data on prevalence of Eczema in adults are limited and in most cases based upon selfadministered questionnaire information.…”