This cross-sectional prospective study included 285 pediatric patients under the age of 10 from Kirsehir Training and Research Hospital’s dermatology outpatient clinic. Participation was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained from all parents. A questionnaire was administered to gather information on age, gender, consanguineous marriage (CM), family history of smoking, allergy-atopy status, and delivery methods. Only patients with a confirmed diagnosis of allergy-atopy, supported by the hospital information system, were included.

The study examined both antenatal and postnatal smoking exposure in relation to the family history of smoking. Parents who did not take sufficient precautions to avoid smoking in the presence of their children were categorized as parental smoking exposure (PSE).

The dermatologist recorded the current diagnoses of the patients. Along with addressing their specific concerns, patients underwent a comprehensive systemic dermatologic examination. Patients with additional dermatological diagnoses apart from the main diagnosis were excluded from the study.

Other dermatitis group diseases (seborrheic dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, napkin dermatitis, neurodermatitis, and photocontact dermatitis), which do not contain any allergic and atopic components, were grouped as ”non-atopic dermatitis (NAD)”.

All bacterial, viral, and fungal skin infections were grouped together as ISD. On the other hand, scabies, which is slightly higher in number, was examined separately.

Efforts were made to minimize factors that could impact the flora. As a result, individuals who underwent emergency CS for any reason, experienced birth complications, or received antepartum or intrapartum antibiotics were excluded from the study. Non-inclusion criteria also involved individuals who did not breastfeed for at least 6 months and those with a chronic disease in either the mother or child.

Dermatological diagnoses and allergy status were compared in children born via NVD and CS, considering sociodemographic characteristics.

Data analysis was performed using the SPSS 25.0 package program. Qualitative data were presented as numbers and percentages, while quantitative data were expressed as means with standard deviation. Chi-square analysis was used to assess differences between categorical variables. Further analysis of group differences was conducted using binary logistic regression. Statistical significance was set as p<0.05.