Emollient usage to prevent atopic dermatitis in neonates
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on October 5th, 2022
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As Vietnam is undergoing an epidemiological transition, we can see an increase in childhood allergic condition frequency alongside the drop in communicable disease. Thus, it is essential to increase our understanding about the best treatment for these conditions. A recent study had reported the efficacy of early-life emollient usage on preventing atopic dermatitis.
The trial enrolled 321 neonates within 4 days of birth. These children have a high risk of developing atopic dermatitis because either one of their parents have been diagnosed with either atopic dermatitis, asthma, or allergic rhinitis. Half of these children were randomly assigned to the intervention group; in which, their parents were instructed to apply emollient, in the form of AVEENO® Dermexa Fast & Long Lasting Balm, twice daily to their whole body for 8 months. The other half of the study population was assigned to the control group, and their parents were advised on standard skin care routine. The 8-week emollient therapy helps reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis by 50% at 6 months and by 29% at 12 months when compared to the control group. Both groups report adverse events at a similar frequency; skin infection was reported in 5% of the intervention group and 5.7% of the control group. Since the study follow-up period is only 12 months long, it is possible that the intervention only delays the onset of atopic dermatitis beyond the 1st year of study. Thus, studies with a more extended observation period are needed to monitor the long term effects of early-life emollient usage.
The mechanism behind the interaction between emollient usage and atopic dermatitis is unclear. It is possible that balm helps increase the skin barrier integrity by increasing moisture level. However, more research is needed to ascertain the effect of the agent on the skin microbiome composition and local/systemic inflammatory biomarkers.
The trial enrolled 321 neonates within 4 days of birth. These children have a high risk of developing atopic dermatitis because either one of their parents have been diagnosed with either atopic dermatitis, asthma, or allergic rhinitis. Half of these children were randomly assigned to the intervention group; in which, their parents were instructed to apply emollient, in the form of AVEENO® Dermexa Fast & Long Lasting Balm, twice daily to their whole body for 8 months. The other half of the study population was assigned to the control group, and their parents were advised on standard skin care routine. The 8-week emollient therapy helps reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis by 50% at 6 months and by 29% at 12 months when compared to the control group. Both groups report adverse events at a similar frequency; skin infection was reported in 5% of the intervention group and 5.7% of the control group. Since the study follow-up period is only 12 months long, it is possible that the intervention only delays the onset of atopic dermatitis beyond the 1st year of study. Thus, studies with a more extended observation period are needed to monitor the long term effects of early-life emollient usage.
The mechanism behind the interaction between emollient usage and atopic dermatitis is unclear. It is possible that balm helps increase the skin barrier integrity by increasing moisture level. However, more research is needed to ascertain the effect of the agent on the skin microbiome composition and local/systemic inflammatory biomarkers.