Long-term evaluation of the impact of the h1-receptor antagonist cetirizine on the behavioral, cognitive, and psychomotor development of very young children with atopic dermatitis.

The impact of the prolonged use of cetirizine at high dose (0.25 mg/kg twice a day over 18 mo) on behavior and cognitive ability was examined in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (ETAC-Early Treatment of the Atopic Child) designed to establish whether it was possible to prevent young children (1-2 y old at study entry) with atopic dermatitis from developing asthma. Well-validated and standardized measures of behavior (Behavior Screening Questionnaire) and cognition (McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities) were used.