Prevention of Asthma With Levocetirizine 18 Month Treatment in Infants (12 - 24 Months) Suffering From Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) and Sensitized to Grass Pollen and/or House Dust Mite (HDM)

Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria which must be verified during screening visit (V1):

• Children of either sex aged between 12 and 24 months

• Subjects suffering from symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) lasting cumulatively for atleast 2 months since birth

• Modified Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) Index >= 10

• Subjects whose biological mother or father, or one sibling has a well-documentedhistory of atopy (AD, allergic rhinitis or asthma) Inclusion criteria which must be verified during randomization (V2):

• Results of the Radio-allergosorbant (RAST) test for grass pollen (GP) and house dustmite (HDM) are available and Immunoglobulin E (IgE) level against GP >= 0.35 kUA/land/or IgE level against HDM ≥ 0.35 kUA/l

• Safety laboratory results are within the normal range of the central laboratory orconsidered as not clinically significant or study disease related by the Investigator

Exclusion Criteria: Exclusion criteria to verify at screening visit (V1): Are to be excluded from the participation in the study, those children who

• Have height or weight below the 5th percentile

• Have experienced at least one episode of wheezing when aged 6 months or over

• Have suffered at age 6 months or over, from at least one nocturnal cough episodeconsisting of 3 (or more) consecutive nights resulting in sleep disturbances in aclinical setting where asthma is likely and other conditions have been excluded

• Have chronic pulmonary diseases of any type, such as, but not limited to, cysticfibrosis, or any cranio-facial abnormality, e.g., cleft palate

• Have a personal history of sleep apnea or who have siblings with a history of sleepapnea

• Are treated with any immunomodulator medication such as, e.g., cyclosporin,cyclophosphamide or FK 506 (Tacrolimus)

• Have received or are receiving allergen - specific immunotherapy

• Suffer from concomitant dermatological disease/condition other than atopic dermatitis,that might interfere with the evaluation of the clinical response for atopicdermatitis

• Have an insufficient wash-out period for the following medications:

• Intranasal or systemic antihistamines: 3 days,

• Intranasal or systemic decongestants: 3 days,

• Loratadine, Desloratadine: 10 days,

• Chromones: 2 weeks,

• Oral corticosteroids: 1 month,

• Chronic use (i.e. cumulatively up to 2 weeks within the last 3 months) ofinhaled/intranasal corticosteroids: 1 month,

• Ketotifen: 1 month,

• Astemizole: 6 weeks

• Have been treated with any antihistamine, including ketotifen, with daily intake formore than 2 consecutive months in the last 6 months before screening Subject Exclusion criteria to verify at randomization visit (V2):

• Intake of any prohibited medication listed above during the selection period