Abstract: The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) is the largest epidemiological study ever performed and the only truly global allergy study. This review summarizes the eczema-related findings from ISAAC and discusses how these fit into our current understanding of eczema aetiology, with particular emphasis on worldwide time trends in eczema prevalence, climatic and dietary risk factors, breastfeeding, the role of skin barrier impairment and allergic sensitization.
Allergologie 2010; 33(6): 242250