Atopic dermatitis in childhood and pubertal development: A nationwide cohort study

Camilla Lomholt Kjersgaard*, Andreas Ernst, Pernille Jul Clemmensen, Lea Lykke Harrits Lunddorf, Linn Håkonsen Arendt, Nis Brix, Onyebuchi A Arah, Mette Deleuran, Cecilia Høst Ramlau-Hansen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) might delay puberty, but research is lacking. Objective: To investigate the association between AD and puberty. Methods: A subcohort within the Danish National Birth Cohort includes children born between 2000 and 2003, with mothers reporting doctor-diagnosed AD at 6 months, 18 months, and 7 years old. The National Patient Registry identified hospital-diagnosed AD. From 11 years, the children give half-yearly information on pubertal development. We estimated the mean age difference in months at attaining Tanner stages 1 to 5 and the development of axillary hair, acne, first ejaculation, voice break, and age at menarche, using an interval-censored regression model. Results: In total, 15,534 children participated, 21.5% had self-reported doctor-diagnosed AD and 0.7% had hospital-diagnosed AD. For girls with self-reported doctor-diagnosed AD, the average age difference at reaching all pubertal milestones was 0.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.8; 0.8), and for hospital-diagnosed AD, it was −0.3 months (95% CI: −5.4; 4.8). For boys, the average age difference was 0.1 months (95% CI: −0.6; 0.9) and −0.3 months (95% CI: −3.6; 3.0), respectively. Limitations: No information on treatment was available. Missing data on covariates (<5%) were not addressed. Conclusion: No association was found between AD and puberty in either girls or boys.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJAAD International
Volume19
Pages (from-to)21-31
Number of pages11
ISSN2666-3287
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2025

Keywords

  • Tanner stages
  • atopic dermatitis
  • atopy
  • cohort study
  • eczema
  • epidemiology
  • menarche
  • pubertal development
  • pubertal milestones
  • puberty

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Atopic dermatitis in childhood and pubertal development: A nationwide cohort study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this