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Park, Shin, Park, and Kim: The investigation of hypoproteinemia in pediatric atopic dermatitis

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.

Figures and Tables

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.
aard-1-344-g001
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).
aard-1-344-g002
Table 1
Comparison of clinical features and laboratory findings
aard-1-344-i001

Values are presented as number (%) or mean±standard deviation.

SCORAD, SCORing Atopic Dermatitis; CRP, C-reactive protein; ECP, eosinophil cationic protein; Others, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterobacter cloacae, Sterptococcus species, Enterococcus species.

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