Features of sensitization and clinical course of atopic dermatitis in children during the war in Ukraine

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease, which affects 15% to 20% of children and 5% to 20% of adolescents. One of the key factors influencing the clinical course of AD and the further prognosis of the disease in children is sensitization to allergens, which can be specific trigger factors. War conditions impose significant additional risks regarding the development of sensitization and the severity of the disease. Aim - to investigate the features of the clinical course and sensitization profile in children with AD during the war in Ukraine. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of medical records of 62 children aged 5-17 years with a diagnosis of AD was conducted. Children were divided into two groups: before the war (group I, n=30), and after its onset (group II, n=32). The following parameters were analyzed: gender, age, severity of AD, sensitization profile, presence of concomitant diseases. Results. Among the patients in group II, a significant decrease in the number of children with mild AD was observed, along with a tendency toward an increase in patients with moderate-severe disease (20.0% versus 40.62%). Furthermore, concomitant bronchial asthma was significantly more prevalent in this group (20.0% versus 52.0%). Sensitization to common allergens was determined in both groups with a tendency to an increase in sensitization to «internal» aeroallergens (house dust mites and mold) in children of group II, which was associated with the established unsatisfactory condition of bomb shelters. Conclusions. The results indicate a deterioration in the course of AD in children during the war in Ukraine, an increase in cases of AD with concomitant asthma, an increase in the frequency of sensitization to aeroallergens of the «indoor environment», which may be associated with the unsatisfactory condition of bomb shelters. The obtained data indicate the need for further scientific research on the study of risk factors associated with the war in Ukraine. The study was performed in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the institution mentioned in the work. Informed consent of the patients was obtained for the research. The authors declare no conflict of interest.