A recent study indicates that children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, particularly boys aged 5 to 12, tend to be shorter but heavier than their peers, suggesting a potential impact on growth trajectories.
A new study suggests that children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis may follow a different growth pattern from their peers, with older children tending to be shorter but heavier than reference standards. Researchers led by Amy S. Paller of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine reported in Pediatric Dermatology that the pattern was most noticeable in children aged 5 to under 12 years, particularly boys.
The analysis drew on baseline data from PEDISTAD, a global observational registry of children younger than 12 with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Among the 1,329 children included, 72% of boys and 53% of girls aged 5 to under 12 were below the 50th percentile for height, while weight was above the 50th percentile in 56% of boys and 52% of girls. That combination pushed body mass index higher than expected for age.
The findings fit with earlier research suggesting that more severe eczema can affect growth, at least temporarily. Past studies have linked extensive skin disease with lower height, delayed bone maturity and slower growth velocity, while others have found little difference overall but a tendency for growth to lag as children approach adolescence. A separate study published in recent years also reported that children with more widespread disease were more likely to be shorter than expected.
The new work cannot show that atopic dermatitis directly causes reduced height or higher BMI. The researchers noted several limits, including the use of US growth curves for an international group, the lack of information on parental height, diet and genetics, and the fact that the registry captured only a single point in time. Still, the authors said the results support closer attention to growth in children with more severe disease, and they called for longer studies to see whether better control of atopic dermatitis helps normalise growth.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
