Patch testing in children: a study of 562 schoolchildren

562 schoolchildren from Oporto were patch tested with the standard series of the Portuguese Contact Dermatitis Group (GPEDC). 13.3% of the children had positive reactions, the most common being to neomycin, thimerosal, para-tertiary-butylphenol-formaldehyde (PTBPF) resin and fragrance-mix. Thus contact allergy in children seems not to be as unusual as previously thought.