ABSTRACT

Objective: The study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of topical 2% coal tar in petroleum jelly as compared to plain petroleum jelly (Emollient) in the management of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children 1 to 16 years of age.
Study Design:  Quasi-experimental study design.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Department of Dermatology, Capital Hospital Islamabad, Pakistan over a period of six months, from January 2023 to July 2023.
Methods:  A total of 68 patients, 34 in each group who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. Group- A received topical 2% coal tar in petroleum jelly while Group B was only administered plain petroleum jelly, twice daily for 12 weeks. The response was recorded using the eczema area severity index (EASI) and then analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.
Results:  The mean age and the duration of disease in Group-A was 6.8±4.8 years & 27.9±28.0 months respectively, while it was 4.9±3.7 years & 20.9±18.2 months in Group-B. Males were predominant in Group-B n= 21 (61.8%), while males and females were equal in Group-A n=17 (50%). Final analysis at 12 weeks comparing the EASI revealed that treatment of Group-A (52.9%) was more effective than Group-B (17.7%). The difference being statistically significant (P=0.002).
Conclusion: Topical 2% coal tar in petroleum jelly was more effective than petroleum jelly alone in treating mild to moderate AD in the pediatric population.

Keywords: Atopic Dermatitis, Coal Tar, Petroleum Jelly.

How to cite this: Erfan M, Ali U, Sajid W, Syed TM, Noor H. Efficacy of 2% Coal Tar in Petroleum Jelly Over Plain Petroleum Jelly (Emollient) In The Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in Pediatric Population. Life and Science. 2024; 5(4): 452-458. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.545