Low vitamin D serum level is inversely associated with eczema in children and adolescents in Germany. Issue 7 (10th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Heimbeck, I.; Wjst, M.; Apfelbacher, C. J.
• Is Part Of: Allergy. Volume 68:Issue 7(2013:Jul.)
• Page Start: 906
• Page End: 910
• Publication Date: 2013-06-10
• Subjects: Allergy -- Periodicals; 616.97
• DOI: 10.1111/all.12167
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0105-4538

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="all12167-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="all12167-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Recent studies have yielded heterogeneous results regarding the relationship between vitamin D and atopic conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum vitamin D level and the prevalence of eczema in German children and adolescents.</p> </sec> <sec id="all12167-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Data were drawn for children aged 1–17 from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS), a nationwide cross‐sectional representative survey. 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) serum concentration was measured in 9838 individuals with eczema and categorized into quartiles. We investigated the association of vitamin D level and eczema by means of logistic regression models.</p> </sec> <sec id="all12167-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Weighted prevalence of eczema was 13.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 12.6–14.4%). Mean vitamin D level was significantly higher in those with eczema compared with those without (<italic>P</italic> < 0.0001). Logistic regression revealed an inverse association between low levels of vitamin D and eczema (multivariate OR for quartile 1 <italic>vs</italic> quartile 2: 0.76 (95% CI 0.61–0.94)).</p> </sec> <sec id="all12167-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>This study suggests that low serum vitamin D level is inversely associated with eczema in German children and adolescents. Prospective studies are required to confirm this result, to discuss a potential opportunity for prevention of eczema.</p> </sec> </abstract>