A cross-sectional study to assess the association of minor criteria of Hannifin and Rajka with age and gender in pediatric Atopic Dermatitis population

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic relapsing dermatitis characterized by intense itching. Hanifin and Rajka criteria is the most commonly used diagnostic cri-teria in hospital setup, consisting of 4 major and 23 minor criteria. To estimate the frequency of distribution of Hanifin and Rajka minor criteria in the pedia-tric age group. To assess the association of age with minor criteria of AD. To assess the association of gender with minor criteria of AD. A cross-sectional study of 150 pediatric patients (≤16 years) was conducted in the Department of Dermatology, who were diagnosed with AD based on history, clinical and ophthalmological examination. Serum IgE was also assessed. The age and gender analysis were done using a chi-square test. The most common clinical features were orbital darkening 133(88.7%), Dennie-Morgan infraorbital fold 126(84%), xerosis 102(68%), keratosis pilaris 101(67.3%), hyperlinear palm 98(65%). Serum IgE was elevated at 26%. The majority presented with high readings with no obvious keratoconus. Male children (88%) presented predo-minantly with orbital darkening (90.9%) and had an exacerbation in winters (18.2%) in comparison to females (62%) p≤0.05. Children > 1 year (141%) presented mostly with keratosis pilaris (71.6%), non-specific hand-foot der-matitis (49.6%), and facial erythema (34.8%) than in infants (9%) p≤0.05. Minor criteria are useful for the diagnosis of AD. Male children are more af-fected and manifest with orbital darkening with Dennie -Morgan infraorbital fold as the chief clinical finding in both groups. Factors such as ethnic/racial, environmental, and diet have a role in AD.