Variability in Paediatric Patch Test Practices Across Europe: A Survey From the European Baseline Series (EBS) Working Party on Behalf of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD)

BackgroundAllergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is an increasingly recognised condition in children and adolescents. However, there is limited knowledge about the different paediatric patch test procedures in European patch test clinics.ObjectivesTo map current European paediatric patch test practices, and to relate these to the existing literature, with the aim of guiding the development of a future paediatric patch test guideline, and a corresponding paediatric European baseline series (pEBS).Materials and MethodsIn the course of late 2023/early 2024, a standardised paediatric patch test e-mail questionnaire was developed, distributed, and discussed among members of the European Baseline Series (EBS) Working Party of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD).ResultsAreas of agreement and discussion were identified regarding patch testing in children of different ages, with and without atopic dermatitis: (contra)indications, choice of allergens and patch test chambers, peculiarities regarding the application and fixation of tests, occlusion and reading times.ConclusionAlthough variability exists in paediatric patch test practices across Europe, there is broad agreement on common procedures, and only a few areas of debate; these findings may be used to inform the development of a future paediatric patch test guideline and pEBS.