Allergy Asthma Respir Dis.  2013 Dec;1(4):344-349. 10.4168/aard.2013.1.4.344.

The investigation of hypoproteinemia in pediatric atopic dermatitis

• Park JH
• Shin Y
• Park GH
• Kim SW

• KMID: 2262592
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aard.2013.1.4.344

Abstract

PURPOSE
As a complication of atopic dermatitis (AD), the incidence of hypoproteinemia is increasing among infants with severe AD. It can be a life-threatening condition owing to hypovolemic shock as a result of hypoproteinemia. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical feature and laboratory findings in pediatric AD patients with hypoproteinemia.
METHODS
Seventy-five patients who visited pediatric allergy clinic and diagnosed as AD by a physician from January 2005 to January 2012. Patients with low serum protein level were classified as group A (n=27) and those with normal serum protein level were classified as group B (n=48). Age, sex, and parental allergic history were studied. We examined serum protein and albumin, eosinophil count, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), total IgE, specific IgE, skin culture and SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) score.
RESULTS
In group A, serum protein and albumin were lower and eosinophil count, CRP, ECP, total IgE and SCORAD score were higher than group B. Group A was sensitized more number of allergens than group B. In parental allergic history, allergic rhinitis was prominent in both group. In skin culture, other species than Staphylococcus aureus were prominent in group A. Egg sensitization was the most common in both group. Serum protein level was positively correlated with serum albumin and negatively correlated with eosinophil count, total IgE, SCORAD score and number of sensitized allergen.
CONCLUSION
Risk factors for hypoproteinemia in pediatric atopic dermatitis are considered infants, severe atopic dermatitis, increased number of sensitized allergens.

Keyword

Pediatric atopic dermatitis; Hypoproteinemia

MeSH Terms

Allergens
C-Reactive Protein
Dermatitis, Atopic*
Eosinophil Cationic Protein
Eosinophils
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Hypoproteinemia*
Immunoglobulin E
Incidence
Infant
Ovum
Parents
Rhinitis
Risk Factors
Serum Albumin
Shock
Skin
Staphylococcus aureus
Allergens
C-Reactive Protein
Eosinophil Cationic Protein
Immunoglobulin E
Serum Albumin

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Comparison of age distribution between groups A and B (A, P=0.055), atopic dematitis severity (B, P=0.000), parental allergic history (C: atopic dermatitis, P=0.002; allergic rhinitis, P=0.500; food allergy, P=0.450; allergic contact dermatitis, P=0.017), sensitized allergen (D: house dust mite, P=0.001; egg, P=0.077; milk, P=0.051; buckwheat, P=0.002; peanut, P=0.003; soy, P=0.000), skin culture (E; P=0.037). S. aureus, Staphylococcus aureus.

• 

  Fig. 2 Correlation of serum protein with albumin (A; P=0.000, r=0.873), total IgE (B; P=0.029, r=-0.421), SCORing Atopic Dermatitis score (C; P=0.002, r=-0.571), eosinophil count (D; P=0.000, r=-0.673), number of sensitized allergen (E; P=0.013, r=-0.471).

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