Objective: The study aimed to determine whether enhancing the skin barrier since early infancy could reduce the incidence of infantile atopic dermatitis among high risk infants.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled trial at the Pediatric Clinic, Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok. Eligible infants aged less than 10 weeks with family history of atopy were enrolled and randomly allocated to one of the two groups. The intervention group applied emollient at least once daily all over the body together with receiving good skin care practice advice, whereas the control group received only good skin care practice advice. All infants were followed up and assessed at 2, 4, 6 and 9 months old.

Results: Fifty-two infants were enrolled, 25 in the intervention group and 27 in the control group. At 9 months old follow-up, none in the intervention group had infantile atopic dermatitis, whereas 14.8% in the control group developed infantile atopic dermatitis (p-value < 0.05). The mean age at diagnosis of infantile atopic dermatitis was 5.5 months.

Conclusion: Regular emollient application together with good skin care practice since early infancy could reduce the incidence of infantile atopic dermatitis among high risk infants.