Physical Growth Of Infants With Eczema Within 1year Old In Chongqing Urban Area

Objective:To evaluate the physical growth of eczema infants with topical corticosteroids treatment within 1year old in chongqing urban area.Methods : 115 cases of full-term infants were recruited in this prospective follow-up study once they were diagnosed as eczema at the first time. All the subjects received topical corticosteroids treatment according to Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of eczema in China and were followed up till 1 year old. During the follow-up period, the symptoms changes of eczema were recorded. Meanwhile, anthropometric indices including weight and length were measured by the age of 6 and 12 months respectively in order to assess their growth level and growth velocity.Results:1. For infants with eczema, the mean WAZ of birth weight and at 12 months old were(0.46±0.682)(0.53±0.686),the mean LAZ were(0.30±0.631)(0.17±0.694), which were above the mean level of Growth Reference Data of Chinese Children( P<0.05).At the initial diagnosis and 6 months old, the mean WAZ were(0.11±0.651)(0.11±0.653),which were no difference with normal reference(P>0.05).While, the mean LAZ were(-0.15±0.716) and(-0.25±0.725),which were lower than the mean growth level of reference(P<0.05). 2. From birth to the time of initial diagnosis of eczema, the growth velocity of weight and length were(-0.35±0.625) and(-0.45±0.647)respectively, which were much slower than the reference(P<0.05). From the initial diagnosis to 1year old, catch-up growth occurred, therefore, the growth velocity of weight(0.42±0.609)and length( 0.32±0.624) were upward shift compared with normal reference(P<0.05). 3.The duration of eczema or age of onset had no effect on body weight or lengh by the age of 12 months.Conclusions:Eczema infants were more likely to have high birth weight. Eczema without treatment may impair infant’s physical growth,especially body length.However, the impaired growth velocity is reversible, and catch-up growth can be expected with the remission of eczema after topical corticosteroids treatment.