Molluscum contagiosum with atopic dermatitis: a clinical retrospective study of 2,278 children

TL;DR

This study found that children with both molluscum contagiosum and atopic dermatitis required more treatment sessions, but not longer treatment duration.

Contribution

The study provides new evidence on how atopic dermatitis affects molluscum contagiosum treatment outcomes in children.

Findings

Children with both MC and AD required more treatment sessions than those with MC alone.

No significant differences were found in treatment duration, age, or sex between the groups.

AD was not closely related to treatment duration or demographic factors.

Abstract

The dissemination of Molluscum contagiosum (MC), a prevalent pediatric cutaneous viral infection, is enhanced upon atopic dermatitis (AD) or compromised epidermal barrier function. However, the potential influence of AD on the course of MC remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of AD on MC treatment outcomes.

In this clinical retrospective study, we enrolled children with MC and divided them into control (patients with MC alone) and observation (patients with both MC and AD) groups. Parameters such as sex, age, treatment sessions, and treatment duration were recorded for all patients. Efficacy endpoints were defined as complete clearance, with no further MC treatment required for half a year. Chi-squared and Z-tests were performed to compare the clinical and demographic parameters between the groups.

Among 2,278 patients, 1,931 (84.77%) had MC alone, and 347 (15.23%) had concurrent MC and AD. Significant differences were observed in treatment sessions (p < 0.05) between the two groups. However, sex, age, and treatment duration did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.05).

AD increased the number of treatment sessions of MC in children but was not closely related to sex, age, or treatment duration.