Gene found to be important cause of eczema in children

17 Apr 2008

New research has identified a specific gene that is linked to the cause of childhood eczema.

A groundbreaking study conducted by a dermatologist from Newcastle University revealed that genetic make-up plays an important part in the likelihood of a child developing the skin condition.

Dr Sarah Brown found that 24% of children in West Cumbria were affected by symptoms of eczema and the gene Filaggrin was shown to cause skin dryness and eczema in approximately 4% of them.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Brown explained: "Eczema often runs in families. Children inherit one copy of the Filaggrin gene from each of their parents. If one of the genes they inherit is faulty then they will have a 25% risk of getting eczema.

"If the child inherits genes from both parents that contain the fault then they will have a 90% risk of having eczema."

According to the National Eczema Society, 60 to 70% of children with eczema tend to have grown out the skin condition by their mid-teens.

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