The possibility of important long-term behavioral and emotional and physiologic changes resulting from chronic sleep disturbance in this population deserves further investigation. The AMA's Encyclopedia of Medicine says AD is common in babies and usually appears between the ages of 2-18 months. It occurs in people who have an inherited tendency toward allergy. They, or members of their family may also have other allergies, such as asthma or allergic rhinitis. AD often clears of its own accord as the child grows older, although it may come and go for several years before disappearing.
Most children outgrow the condition by the time they reach puberty.