Atopic dermatitis (AD), also referred to as eczema, is a highly pruritic, chronic, relapsing and inflammatory skin disorder.1 It is the most common inflammatory skin disease in children and affects up to 20% of children worldwide.2 AD is most prevalent in early childhood, usually appearing during infancy within the first six months of life.3
The symptoms of AD in infants include patches of skin that are red or brownish, dry, cracked, scaly or itchy skin, especially at night.4 AD can appear almost anywhere on the body, however in infants, AD usually appears as tiny bumps on the cheeks and primarily involves the face, the scalp, and the extensor surfaces of the limbs.5 It is typically an episodic disease of exacerbation, consisting of flares, which may occur two or three times per month, and remissions, but AD can be continuous in some children.6
What causes Atopic Dermititis in infants?
Around 50–70% of children with an early onset of AD are sensitised to one or more allergens.4 These are mainly food allergens, e.g. cow’s milk protein7, which is responsible for AD in 20–80% cases.4
Angioedema as a symptom of Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy
Acute Angioedema in infants is one of the many cutaneous symptoms of Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA), primarily affecting the lips or eyelids.5 Angioedema occurs in about 10% of infants with CMPA.2
Atopic Dermatitis as a symptom of Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy
Atopic dermatitis in infants is one of the most common cutaneous symptoms of Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA).8 Approximately one third of children with AD have a diagnosis of CMPA and approximately 40–50% of infants younger than 12 months of age with CMPA have a diagnosis of AD.9 Clinical evidence demonstrates that cow’s milk protein-induced symptoms of AD occur in 10–40% of all positive responses in controlled oral food challenges in infants with AD.9,10
The majority of infants affected with CMPA have at least two symptoms affecting at least two different organ systems.11,12 If, in addition to AD, your patient shows any of the signs and symptoms that can be related to CMPA13 (see below), you can use the CoMiSS® tool14 to score the combination of their symptoms and assess the likelihood of CMPA.
Signs and symptoms related to CMPA13
- Gastrointestinal/Digestive: Colic, vomiting, reflux, regurgitation, anorexia, diarrhea, constipation
- Respiratory: Chronic cough, sneezing, wheezing, runny nose
- Skin: Rash, urticaria, angioedema
- General: Failure to thrive, anaphylaxis, insomnia, inconsolable crying
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