Scientists at Chang Gung University in Taoyuan, Taiwan, conducted a study to investigate the association between vitamin D serum levels and allergen sensitization and its impact on the risk of atopic dermatitis in childhood.
This research World Allergy Organization Journal.
Study: Vitamin D levels are inversely associated with allergen sensitization on risk of atopic dermatitis in childhood. Image credit: alexisido / Shutterstock
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Vitamin D is a fat-soluble micronutrient important in regulating innate and adaptive immune responses. Serum levels of this vitamin are associated with many allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis.
Existing evidence indicates that the risk of atopic dermatitis is inversely related to serum vitamin D levels. However, insufficient evidence is available to understand this association across different age groups during early childhood.
Sensitization to allergens is a strong trigger for atopic dermatitis. Sensitization to food allergens usually occurs during infancy, whereas sensitization to air allergens more commonly occurs during childhood. Serum vitamin D levels are inversely correlated with specific allergen sensitization and total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels during infancy.
In this study, scientists investigated the association between serum vitamin D levels and childhood atopic dermatitis across different age groups. Additionally, they investigated the effects of vitamin D on allergen sensitization and atopic dermatitis in early childhood.
research design
Children with clinically confirmed atopic dermatitis and age-matched healthy children without atopic dermatitis or other allergic diseases were enrolled separately in the study at ages 0.5, 2, and 4 years. Ta.
Among the 0.5-year-old children, 59 had atopic dermatitis and 36 were healthy controls. Among the 2-year-old children, 37 had atopic dermatitis and 29 were healthy controls. Among the 4-year-old children, 32 had atopic dermatitis and 29 were healthy controls.
Serum samples collected from participants were analyzed for vitamin D, total IgE levels, and allergen-specific IgE levels.
important findings
The enrolled children were further divided into three groups based on serum vitamin D levels. In the 0.5-year and her 4-year age categories, children with vitamin D levels below 20 ng/ml had a significantly higher prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and maternal atopy than children with vitamin D levels above 30 ng/ml. was shown to be high. .
Children with atopic dermatitis had significantly lower vitamin D levels at 2 and 4 years of age compared to healthy controls. However, significantly higher vitamin D supplementation was observed in children with atopic dermatitis aged 0.5 years compared to healthy controls.
The prevalence of food allergen sensitization was significantly higher in children with atopic dermatitis aged 0.5 and 4 years. The prevalence of IgE sensitization to ticks was significantly higher in children with atopic dermatitis at 2 and 4 years of age.
Association between vitamin D levels and allergen sensitization
Children with vitamin D levels <20 ng/ml had a higher prevalence of food allergen sensitization at age 0.5 years and mite allergen sensitization at age 2 years compared to children with vitamin D levels >30 ng/ml. Ta.
In contrast, significantly higher prevalence of tick and IgE sensitization was observed only in children with vitamin D <20 ng/ml at 4 years of age.
Risk factors for atopic dermatitis and allergen sensitization
Food allergen sensitization and maternal atopy were identified as significant risk factors for the development of atopic dermatitis in children aged 0.5 years. However, for children aged 2 and 4 years, the strongest risk factors for atopic dermatitis were serum vitamin D levels and mite allergen sensitization.
Specifically, serum vitamin D levels were identified as a significant risk factor for food allergen sensitization at 2 years of age and for mite allergen sensitization at both 2 and 4 years of age.
Significance of the research
This study found a strong association between vitamin D deficiency and risk of atopic dermatitis and higher prevalence of allergen sensitization in childhood.
As researchers hypothesize, vitamin D deficiency may alter the immune response to allergens, which may contribute to the development of atopic dermatitis in childhood.
