Salava A, Perälä M, Pelkonen A, et al. - Findings demonstrate that it is safe to use topical tacrolimus (0.03% and 0.1%) and topical corticosteroids (mild and moderate potency) for treating young children with moderate-to severe-atopic dermatitis, and the observed efficacy and safety profiles for these treatment options were comparable in this study.

• This 36-month follow-up study was conducted to compare safety differences between tacrolimus 0.03% and 0.1% ointments with mild and moderate potency topical corticosteroids in young children suffering from atopic dermatitis (n=152).

• With respect to skin-related infections, other infections, growth parameters height and weight, EASI scores, vaccination responses, serum cortisone levels and serum levels of IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IL-31 and IFN gamma, no differences were found between the treatment groups.

• A significant decrease of EASI was evident in both groups.

• There were detectable tacrolimus blood levels in 9 patients (11.68%) at the 1-week visit, in the tacrolimus group.

• During the study, no malignancies or severe infections were documented.

• Both groups exhibited similar blood eosinophil counts.