Original ArticleThe Link between Serum Vitamin D Level, Sensitization to Food Allergens, and the Severity of Atopic Dermatitis in Infancy
Section snippets
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study in which subjects were recruited consecutively between January 2011 and December 2012 at the CHA Bundang Hospital, Korea (located at latitude 37°26'N). The inclusion criteria were children aged 3-24 months with atopic dermatitis or suspected food allergy, who had not been on vitamin supplementation for at least 1 month prior to the study. Exclusion criteria were children with suspected chronic diseases or congenital anomaly, those with previous history of
Results
The characteristics of the study population are shown in the Table. The prevalence of exclusively breast-fed infants until 3 and 6 months of age was 61.5% and 48.9%, respectively. The median serum 25(OH)D level was 18.1 ng/mL (IQR 4.7-28.9 ng/mL).
Discussion
This study suggests that low 25(OH)D levels increase the risk of food allergen sensitization and are associated with the severity of atopic dermatitis. The severity of atopic dermatitis was independently influenced by the serum 25(OH)D levels and by food allergen sensitization. This report indicates the relationship between the vitamin D status in infancy (not cord blood levels), the degree of sensitization, and the severity of atopic dermatitis.
In line with previous studies, the dietary
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The authors declare no conflicts of interest.