The association between atopic dermatitis and linear growth in children- a systematic review

Abstract

To evaluate the association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and linear growth in children, and determine factors associated with compromised linear growth in children with AD. A PRISMA-compliant systematic review was conducted. Databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane) were searched from inception to June 2024 for articles that reported a quantitative relationship between AD and linear growth in children (< 18 years old). Quality of included articles was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools while quality of evidence in these studies was evaluated using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. Fourteen studies (comprising 50,146 patients with AD) were included. Seven studies reported a strong positive or positive association between AD and reduced height standard deviation score (SDS) in children; the others reported no association. Only 3 studies had moderate quality of evidence, all of which reported an association between AD and poorer height SDS; the remaining 11 studies scored low in quality of evidence. Three studies reported the impact of AD on height to be transient. Secondary analysis showed AD severity, earlier AD onset, sleep disruption and, food restriction, to be risk factors for linear growth impairment in patients with AD. Topical steroid use was not associated with shorter stature in patients with AD. Conclusion: Current evidence on the association between childhood AD and poor linear growth is weak and inconsistent. However, patients with more severe AD, earlier disease onset, poorer sleep quality and higher nutritional restrictions appear more susceptible to linear growth impairment. What is known? • There is inconsistent evidence of the association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and linear growth in children in current literature, with some studies suggesting that AD may negatively impact linear height while other studies do not report similar associations. What is new? • There is no strong association between AD in childhood and poorer linear growth. • There may be a transient slowing of linear growth in children with AD, mimicking constitutional growth delay. • Children with severe AD, earlier disease onset, poorer sleep quality and nutritional restrictions may be at risk of more significant linear growth impairment. • Topical steroid use does not appear to contribute to shorter height in children with AD.

Keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Eczema; Height; Linear growth; Short stature.