Risk of systemic infections requiring hospitalization in children with atopic dermatitis: a Danish retrospective nationwide cohort study*

Background Infections can trigger worsening of atopic dermatitis (AD). Objectives To examine whether hospital-managed paediatric AD is associated with increased risk extracutaneous infections requiring hospitalization in childhood. Methods A nationwide-based cohort study using Danish registries was done. Children aged < 18 years a hospital diagnosis and children without were sex- age-matched at date diagnosis. Study outcomes that led to hospitalization. severity defined according prescriptions for treatments. Results Of 19 415 [median follow-up 7·4 years; interquartile range (IQR) 3·3–13.3] 194 150 (median 7·7 IQR 3·6–13·5), 56% boys 50% 2 years. had an rate lower respiratory [LRTI; adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1·79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·65–1·94)], upper (URTI; aHR 1·59, CI 1·34–1·88), urinary tract (UTI; 1·34, 1·16–1·54), musculoskeletal (MSSI; 1·33, 1·06–1·66) gastrointestinal (GITIs; 1·24, 1·14–1·35) vs. AD. Associations did not clearly vary severity. Absolute difference per 10 000 person-years 26·4 (95% 23·0–29·8) LRTIs, 3·1 1·6–4·7) URTIs, 3·6 1·8–5·4) UTIs, 0·9 0·2–2·0) MSSIs 8·7 5·7–11·7) GITIs. Conclusions have systemic lead hospitalization; absolute generally low.