Atopic dermatitis in Senegalese children with skin phototype VI: Prevalence, clinical features, and risk factors of severity

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common inflammatory skin disease of childhood. Yet, in sub-Saharan Africa, data on AD in children is scarce. Herein, we aimed to determine the prevalence, clinical features, and risk factors of severity of AD in Senegalese children with skin phototype VI. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including children with AD and skin phototype VI younger than fifteen years old seen in two dermatology centers in Senegal over a period of six months. The diagnosis of AD was based on the United Kingdom Working Party (UKWP) criteria. The severity of AD was evaluated with SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD). Results: Among the 630 children consulted during the study period, 104 had AD, yielding a hospital prevalence of 16.5%. The mean age of children with AD was 36 months with a sex ratio of 1. A personal and family history of atopic disease was reported in 86.5% and 84.6% of the patients, respectively. Xerosis was the most common clinical feature, observed in 80.8% of. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and keratosis pilaris were observed in 44.2% and 37.5%, respectively. Severe AD was noted in 12.5%. Risk factors associated with the severity of AD were exposure to incense smoke, an age of onset before 24 months, food allergies, and impetiginisatio. Daily use of shea butter was a protective factor. Conclusion: Our study showed a high hospital prevalence of AD in Senegalese children with skin phototype VI. The result observed with shea butter as a protective factor against severe AD is highly important, although it needs to be confirmed by randomized studies.