Atopic dermatitis negatively impacts IQ and cognition in young males

Atopic dermatitis (AD), especially when severe, is linked to reduced IQ in young males and worse school performance in children, which might hinder academic success later in life, says an article published in British Journal of Dermatology. 

Children with atopic dermatitis may have sleep disturbances, low self-esteem, and diminished quality of life, all of which may influence academic performance. In order to investigate the relationship between hospital-managed paediatric AD, academic achievement, and cognitive function, Ida Vittrup and colleagues undertook this study.

Researchers connected data from the Danish national registries in this cross-sectional analysis to identify three demographics between 2001 and 2019. Children who had completed lower secondary school were included in population 1, teenagers who had completed upper secondary school were included in population 2, and male conscripts who had taken an Intelligence test were included in population 3. Prior to the exam or conscription date, AD was defined as a hospital diagnostic code (inpatient or outpatient) and was classified based on severity, activity, and atopic comorbidity. Results included median IQ at conscription, special educational support in primary and lower secondary school, and graduation mean from lower and upper secondary school.