Sleep patterns in children with atopic eczema

Following routine appointments in a paediatric dermatology clinic, the parents of 44 young children with atopic eczema and 18 with other skin conditions were interviewed regarding sleep patterns. Sleep disorders were more prevalent in the eczema children than in the control group and normal populations. ''Night waking'' problems were particularly common in the eczema children, whereas settling problems were not. An association was found between scratching habits and ''night waking'' - the more the children scratched, the greater the likelihood of their waking at night. Consideration is given to the management of the sleep problems of eczematous children.