ABSTRACT
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed skin disorders worldwide. It is a chronic disease that affects 5-20% of infants and children (1). A recent study by Hanifin and coworkers (2) examined the prevalence of AD in Oregon schoolchildren less than 9 years of age. Their prevalence estimates ranged between 6.8% and 17.2%. Approximately two thirds of those afflicted with AD are under the age of 16 (3), with most cases beginning before age 5 (4). AD has been shown to have a lifetime prevalence of 30% or higher in certain geographic areas (5-7). We are in the midst of a worldwide epidemic of AD, with the prevalence of this important skin disorder increasing significantly over the past 30-40 years (4, 8).
