Impaired skin barrier and allergic sensitization in early infancy

Allergy. 2022 May;77(5):1464-1476. doi: 10.1111/all.15170. Epub 2021 Nov 12.

Abstract

Background: Factors predicting allergic sensitization in the first 6 months of life are poorly understood. We aimed to determine whether eczema, dry skin, and high transepidermal water loss (TEWL) at 3 months were associated with allergic sensitization at 6 months of age and, secondarily, to establish whether these characteristics predicted sensitization from 3 to 6 months of age.

Methods: At 3 months of age, 1,994 infants from the population-based PreventADALL birth cohort in Norway and Sweden were assessed for eczema and dry skin on the cheeks and/or extensors; impaired skin barrier function, defined as TEWL in the upper quartile (>9.4 g/m2 /h), and allergen-specific IgE levels <0.1 kUA /L, available in 830. At 6 months, we assessed allergic sensitization to any food (egg, cow's milk, peanut, wheat, soy) or inhalant (birch, timothy grass, dog, and cat) allergen by a skin prick test wheal diameter ≥2 mm larger than negative control.

Results: Any sensitization was found in 198 of the 1,994 infants (9.9%), the majority to food allergens (n = 177, 8.9%). Eczema, dry skin, and high TEWL at 3 months increased the risk of sensitization at 6 months; adjusted odds ratios 4.20 (95% CI 2.93-6.04), 2.09 (95% CI 1.51-2.90) and 3.67 (95% CI 2.58-5.22), respectively. Eczema predicted sensitization with 55.6% sensitivity and 68.1% specificity; dry skin with 65.3% sensitivity and 57.3% specificity; and high TEWL with 61.7% sensitivity and 78.1% specificity.

Conclusion: Eczema, dry skin, and high TEWL at 3 months predicted allergic sensitization at 6 months of age.

Keywords: PreventADALL; allergic sensitization; infancy; skin barrier.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Dogs
  • Eczema* / epidemiology
  • Eczema* / etiology
  • Female
  • Food Hypersensitivity* / diagnosis
  • Food Hypersensitivity* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Infant
  • Skin Tests

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Immunoglobulin E