Children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis (AD) have a greater risk of total mental disorders compared with those without AD, a new study found. The systematic review and meta-analysis included 37 studies (n=2,068,911 children/adolescents). Among the findings:

• Meta-analysis of 35 studies found that children and adolescents with AD had a significantly higher risk of total mental disorders vs those without AD.
• There was no significant difference in risk for ADHD, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, conduct disorder, or ASD.
• Race/ethnicity of child, target of comparison, type of studies, representativeness of the sample, measures of AD, and mental disorders were significant moderators for total mental disorders.