Dupilumab helps underweight kids with eczema catch up on growth

Children with atopic dermatitis (AD) often struggle with impaired growth — and new data presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress suggests dupilumab (Dupixent) may help address that. Researchers analyzed data from 622 children with moderate-to-severe AD across three pivotal trials and found that underweight kids on dupilumab were significantly more likely to gain ground on standard growth curves compared to those on placebo.

The effect was most pronounced in the youngest patients. Children aged 2 to 5 who were below the 25th percentile for body weight showed striking gains on dupilumab vs. placebo, and girls across all age groups benefited more than boys. Children already at or above the 60th percentile saw no significant changes, suggesting the drug specifically helps those who need it most.

By the Numbers:

• 28.4% of underweight kids on dupilumab achieved a ≥5 percentile point gain in body weight vs. 7.8% on placebo (P = .0052)
• 62.5% of underweight 2–5 year-olds on dupilumab gained ≥5 percentile points vs. 7.1% on placebo (P = .0024)
• 45.2% of underweight girls on dupilumab achieved the growth threshold vs. 10% on placebo (P = .0125)

Why it matters: Growth deficits are a real but often overlooked complication of pediatric eczema. These findings give clinicians a compelling reason to factor in a child's weight and BMI when choosing treatment — and suggest dupilumab could do double duty by controlling disease and supporting healthy development.