[Atopic dermatitis at 18-months physical examination].

In order to know the prevalence rate and severity of atopic dermatitis, and to compare them to those previously done for 4-month-old infants, the authors examined atopic dermatitis of 18-month-old children at regular health checks at a health center. Among 769 children examined, 69 were diagnosed as having atopic dermatitis, giving a prevalence rate of 9.0%. Most of cases were mild, and no severe cases were observed. In contrast to the location of eruptions on head, face, and trunk at 4-month-old, the eruptions were seen mainly on the trunk and extremities. The prevalence rate in summer and autumn was significantly lower than that in winter and spring. Among 501 children whom we could examine both at 4-month and 18-month-old, 102 cases were diagnosed as having atopic eruptions at 4 months. The eruptions, however, were disappeared in 83 cases when they were 18-month-old. The severity of atopic dermatitis also came to be mild when they grew up. Altogether, a quarter of children had atopic eruptions either at 4 months or 18 months, or both. It will be of interest to observe the transition of atopic dermatitis in childhood and we are planning to follow them at next physical examination at 3-year-old.