This study will access the degree to which pimecrolimus is absorbed from pimecrolimus cream 1% into the blood when applied repeatedly under occlusion (i.e. areas treated wrapped in a plastic film) over 8 days in patients with moderate to severe atopic eczema.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients 2 - 18 years of age
• Patients with a diagnosis of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, assessed by a score ≥ 3 at the Investigator's Global Assessment. AD to involve at least 30% of their body surface area as determined by the rule of nine or the Lund and Browder chart.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Erythrodermic patients with Netherton's syndrome
• Patients with known serious adverse reactions or hypersensitivity to any of the excipients of the study medication
• Patients with a history of cancer, skin malignancy or lymphoproliferative disorders or of immunocompromise, including a positive HIV (ELISA and Western blot), Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or Hepatitis C test result

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply