1. ¹Department of Pediatric Dermatology, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
2. ²Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Irel

Correspondence: Dr Alan D. Irvine, Department of Pediatric Dermatology, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland. E-mail: irvinea@tcd.ie, alanirvine@eircom.net

Abstract

The association of filaggrin null alleles with eczema has been replicated in several European populations. Three large, well-conducted studies confirm this association and offer insights into the phenotypic nature of eczema associated with these alleles. Early data suggest that FLG-associated eczema may be more persistent, more likely to have palmar hyperlinearity, and more likely to be associated with asthma. These initial hints will require further confirmation in cohort studies.