Subjects
This study included 40 children and adolescents (24 males and 16 females) who visited the Department of Dermatology at Hallym University between June 2008 and May 2009. Their ages ranged between 2 and 15 years (mean±standard deviation [SD], 5.6±5.5 years) and they met the Hanifin and Rajka criteria7. Patients ranged in weight between 7.5 and 61 kg (mean±SD, 18.3±2.4 kg). The mean duration of eczema was 8.6±4.8 months. The mean Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) score8 was 6.1±1.6 (range, 3.0 to 9.0). We excluded patients who had any congenital disorders, asthma or any other chronic disorders. Consent was obtained from the guardians of each patient. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital.