Timing of Itch Among Children with Atopic Dermatitis

Previous studies suggest itch associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) varies by time of day among adults. However, variation in intensity throughout the is not well-understood children. This study examined differences AD children AD. We conducted a cross-sectional survey 240 parent-child dyads, including 60 infants (1-4 years) and 180 (5-17 US, stratified sampling age, sex, race. Parents were asked to select (morning/afternoon/evening/bedtime/sleep) worst rate their child’s (0-10 scale) during each period. Exact itch, bedtime, minutes fall asleep, wake queried. Paired t-tests used assess at specific times day. Overall, 55% male, 32% Black, 83% had moderate-severe Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure. Mean±standard deviation age was 8.5±4.7 years. Worst most frequently occurred 7:00PM on weekdays 8:00PM weekends. These mean±standard error 2.7±0.4 3.0±0.4 hours prior sleep onset weekends, respectively. Itch higher evening (mean: 5.6 vs 5.4, t=2.61, P=0.01) even bedtime (5.8 t=4.58, P<.0001), compared all other commonly occurs evening/bedtime. Further are needed better understand potentially targetable circadian mechanisms underlying skin barrier, AD-induced inflammation, itch.