Vitamin D level is inversely related to allergen sensitization for risking atopic dermatitis in early childhood.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies concerning the impact of serum vitamin D status on the risk of allergen sensitization and atopic dermatitis (AD) during early childhood.

METHOD: Children with AD and age-matched healthy controls (HC) were prospectively enrolled at age 0.5, 2, and 4 years. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) level was measured using Elecsys Vitamin D Total assay. The study utilized the ImmunoCAP assay to analyze specific IgE for food and inhalant allergens, along with total serum IgE levels. It explored the connection between vitamin D levels and allergen sensitization, as well as their influence on AD at different ages.

RESULTS: A total of 222 children including 95 (59 AD and 36 HC), 66 (37 AD and 29 HC), and 61 (32 AD and 29 HC) children were classified at age 0.5, 2, and 4 years, respectively. In children with AD, there was a significantly lower vitamin D level at age 2 and 4, but a significantly higher prevalence of food and mite sensitization at all ages in comparison with HC ( P  < 0.001). Vitamin D level was found to be inversely related to the prevalence of allergen sensitization at age 4 ( P  < 0.05). However, vitamin D level appeared to have high importance for allergen sensitization at all ages and AD at age 2 and 4 years.

CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is strongly associated with heightened prevalence of allergen sensitization, potentially increasing the susceptibility to AD in early childhood.