Atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review

There has been a dramatic rise in the prevalence of atopic diseases in both developed and developing countries, especially children. Atopic dermatitis (AD), a specific form of eczema, is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease. AD has significant morbidity, and the prevalence of the disorder has been increasing over the past few decades. This study was aimed at reviewing in detail AD in pediatric patients in Saudi Arabia. PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Elton B Stephens Company, and Cochrane library were searched. Study articles were screened by title and abstract using Rayyan Qatar Computing Research Institute then a full-text assessment was implemented. A total of 14 studies including both sexes and 0-18 years of age patients diagnosed with AD were included in this review; more than half were males. We estimated a widely ranging prevalence around the different districts of Saudi Arabia, which may be explained by the marked variations in topographical, meteorological, and climatic conditions. Distribution of allergens may vary with different geographic areas, local climates, environments, and lifestyles; critical regional variations in allergic disease prevalence can be observed. Also, we estimated an increasing prevalence of AD among children in Saudi Arabia with elevating stress levels of both the patients and the parents and a significant effect on their quality of life.