November 12, 2026
Children with eczema more likely to have sleep problems than children without eczema
PHOENIX (Nov. 12, 2026) – A new study being presented at the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) adds evidence that atopic dermatitis (also known as eczema) in children is associated with sleep disturbance.
Eczema is often thought of as just a skin problem, but our findings suggest it is associated with a child’s overall well-being, particularly their sleep,” said Samantha Sundermeier, DO, lead researcher and ACAAI member. “We found that children with eczema were more likely to have a diagnosed sleep disturbance, and the relationship was similar whether they also had a mental health condition or other allergic conditions. This highlights the importance of asking about sleep, not just skin symptoms, when caring for children with eczema.”
Eczema causes dry, itchy, inflamed skin and is one of the most common skin conditions in children. Allergists have long known that eczema can disrupt sleep, but most past research only looked at small groups of children, often from specialty clinics. To learn more, researchers reviewed the health records of more than 26,000 children, from birth to age 21, who visited a primary care clinic between January 2024 and January 2026. They looked for diagnoses of eczema, sleep problems, other allergic conditions (like asthma or hay fever), and mental health conditions.
What They Found
- About 15% of the children had eczema.
- About 10% had a diagnosed sleep problem.
- Children with eczema were more likely to also have sleep problems than children without eczema. About 12% of children with eczema had a sleep problem, compared with about 10% of children without eczema.
- The connection between eczema and sleep problems was similar whether or not a child also had a mental health condition or other allergic conditions like asthma or hay fever.
Poor sleep in children can affect mood, learning, behavior, and overall quality of life. Because eczema is so common, doctors who catch sleep problems early may be able to help children feel and function better. The researchers suggest that medical professionals who treat eczema should ask families about sleep whenever a child is being treated for eczema. Catching sleep issues early could lead to better treatment plans and better outcomes for kids.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The data presented in the news release above and abstract below has been revised since the study was submitted for the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology online supplement.
Abstract Title: Scratching the Surface: Sleep Disturbance in Children with Atopic Dermatitis in an Urban Population — A Retrospective Analysis
Presenter: Samantha Sundermeier, DO
For more information about diagnosis and treatment of allergic conditions, or to find an allergist in your area, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. The ACAAI Annual Scientific Meeting is Nov. 12-16 in Phoenix. For more news and research from the ACAAI Scientific Meeting, go to our newsroom and follow the conversation on X/Twitter #ACAAI26.
About ACAAI
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) is a professional medical organization of more than 6,500 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. Founded in 1942, the College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy, and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administer immunotherapy, and provide patients with the best treatment outcomes. For more information and to find relief, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and X.
Scratching the Surface: Sleep Disturbance in Children with Atopic Dermatitis in an Urban Population — A Retrospective Analysis
R387
S. Sundermeier*, N. Buboltz, Philadelphia, PA.
Introduction
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition often associated with sleep disturbance, contributing to psychosocial stress, impaired cognition, and reduced quality of life. Prior studies are limited by small or specialty cohorts and underrepresentation of diverse pediatric populations. The impact of comorbid atopy and mental health conditions on the AD–sleep relationship in underserved children remains unclear.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective review of 26,395 pediatric patients (birth to 21 years) seen in a primary care clinic from January 2024 to January 2026. Electronic health records were queried for diagnoses of AD, sleep disturbance, atopy, and mental health conditions. Associations between AD and sleep disturbance were evaluated using contingency tables, odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals, and χ2 tests. Stratified analyses by atopy and mental health comorbidity were compared to assess effect modification.
Results
AD was present in 14.5% of patients, sleep disturbance in 10.3%, atopy in 34.9%, and mental health conditions in 11.5%. Co-occurrence of AD and sleep disturbance was observed in 1.8%. AD was associated with increased odds of sleep disturbance (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.15–1.42; χ2 = 20.91; p < 0.001). The association was similar across subgroups: OR 1.17 (95% CI 0.90–1.52) with and 1.30 (1.16–1.46) without mental health conditions, and OR 1.08 (0.94–1.25) with and 1.28 (1.09–1.51) without atopy. No significant effect modification was detected (p = 0.46 for mental health; p = 0.12 for atopy).
Conclusion
In this large urban pediatric cohort, AD was significantly associated with sleep disturbance, and the association was consistent regardless of atopy or mental health status. These findings support routine sleep assessment in all children with AD to guide targeted management and improve overall outcomes.
