Age, sex, and disease status as determinants of skin hydration and transepidermal water loss among children with and without eczema
KL Hon, PH Lam, W. G. Ng, JS Kung, Nam Sze Cheng, Z Q Lin, CM Chow, TF Leung
Abstract
PURPOSE: Skin hydration (SH) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) are important skin biophysical parameters for assessment of childhood eczema. This study investigated whether age, sex, and disease status influence these parameters. METHODS: Skin hydration and TEWL were measured by Delfin MoistureMeterSC and Delfin Vapometer SWL5, respectively, among children aged ≤18 years with and without eczema. Disease status was evaluated using Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and Nottingham Eczema Severity Score (NESS) clinical tools. RESULTS: =-0.401, P<0.001), but not among children with eczema. CONCLUSION: Skin hydration can be used to distinguish clinical differences in eczema based on age, sex, and disease status.