e-Article
Emollients for prevention of atopic dermatitis: 5‐year findings from the BEEP randomized trial.
Document Type
Article
Author
Bradshaw, Lucy E.; Wyatt, Laura A.; Brown, Sara J.; Haines, Rachel H.; Montgomery, Alan A.; Perkin, Michael R.; Lawton, Sandra; Sach, Tracey H.; Chalmers, Joanne R.; Ridd, Matthew J.; Flohr, Carsten; Brooks, Joanne; Swinden, Richard; Mitchell, Eleanor J.; Tarr, Stella; Jay, Nicola; Thomas, Kim S.; Allen, Hilary; Cork, Michael J.; Kelleher, Maeve M.
Source
Subject
*ATOPIC dermatitis
*ECZEMA
*ALLERGIC rhinitis
*FOOD allergy
*FAMILY history (Medicine)
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Language
ISSN
0105-4538
Abstract
Background: The effectiveness of emollients for preventing atopic dermatitis/eczema is controversial. The Barrier Enhancement for Eczema Prevention trial evaluated the effects of daily emollients during the first year of life on atopic dermatitis and atopic conditions to age 5 years. Methods: 1394 term infants with a family history of atopic disease were randomized (1:1) to daily emollient plus standard skin‐care advice (693 emollient group) or standard skin‐care advice alone (701 controls). Long‐term follow‐up at ages 3, 4 and 5 years was via parental questionnaires. Main outcomes were parental report of a clinical diagnosis of atopic dermatitis and food allergy. Results: Parents reported more frequent moisturizer application in the emollient group through to 5 years. A clinical diagnosis of atopic dermatitis between 12 and 60 months was reported for 188/608 (31%) in the emollient group and 178/631 (28%) in the control group (adjusted relative risk 1.10, 95% confidence interval 0.93 to 1.30). Although more parents in the emollient group reported food reactions in the previous year at 3 and 4 years, cumulative incidence of doctor‐diagnosed food allergy by 5 years was similar between groups (92/609 [15%] emollients and 87/632 [14%] controls, adjusted relative risk 1.11, 95% confidence interval 0.84 to 1.45). Findings were similar for cumulative incidence of asthma and hay fever. Conclusions: Daily emollient application during the first year of life does not prevent atopic dermatitis, food allergy, asthma or hay fever. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]