BACKGROUND: Prevention strategies in atopic dermatitis (AD) using allergen avoidance have not been consistently effective. New research reveals the importance of the skin barrier in the development of AD and possibly food allergy and asthma. Correcting skin barrier defects from birth may prevent AD onset or moderate disease severity. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the feasibility of skin barrier protection as a novel AD prevention strategy. METHODS: We enrolled 22 neonates at high risk for developing AD in a feasibility pilot study using emollient therapy from birth. RESULTS: No intervention-related adverse events occurred in our cohort followed up for a mean time of 547 days. Of the 20 subjects who remained in the study, 3 (15.0%) developed AD, suggesting a protective effect when compared with historical controls. Skin barrier measurements remained within ranges seen in normal-appearing skin. LIMITATIONS: No conclusions regarding efficacy can be made without a control group. CONCLUSIONS: Skin barrier repair from birth represents a novel and feasible approach to AD prevention. Further studies are warranted to determine the efficacy of this approach.
BACKGROUND: Prevention strategies in atopic dermatitis (AD) using allergen avoidance have not been consistently effective. New research reveals the importance of the skin barrier in the development of AD and possibly food allergy and asthma. Correcting skin barrier defects from birth may prevent AD onset or moderate disease severity. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the feasibility of skin barrier protection as a novel AD prevention strategy. METHODS: We enrolled 22 neonates at high risk for developing AD in a feasibility pilot study using emollient therapy from birth. RESULTS: No intervention-related adverse events occurred in our cohort followed up for a mean time of 547 days. Of the 20 subjects who remained in the study, 3 (15.0%) developed AD, suggesting a protective effect when compared with historical controls. Skin barrier measurements remained within ranges seen in normal-appearing skin. LIMITATIONS: No conclusions regarding efficacy can be made without a control group. CONCLUSIONS: Skin barrier repair from birth represents a novel and feasible approach to AD prevention. Further studies are warranted to determine the efficacy of this approach.
Authors: Gary L Darmstadt; Samir K Saha; A S M Nawshad Uddin Ahmed; Yoonjoung Choi; M A K Azad Chowdhury; Maksuda Islam; Paul A Law; Saifuddin Ahmed Journal: Pediatr Res Date: 2007-05 Impact factor: 3.756
Authors: Marla E Rendell; Shahana F Baig-Lewis; Trista M Berry; Melissa E Denny; Brenda M Simpson; Peter A Brown; Eric L Simpson Journal: Pediatr Dermatol Date: 2011-09-05 Impact factor: 1.588
Authors: Lawrence F Eichenfield; Wynnis L Tom; Timothy G Berger; Alfons Krol; Amy S Paller; Kathryn Schwarzenberger; James N Bergman; Sarah L Chamlin; David E Cohen; Kevin D Cooper; Kelly M Cordoro; Dawn M Davis; Steven R Feldman; Jon M Hanifin; David J Margolis; Robert A Silverman; Eric L Simpson; Hywel C Williams; Craig A Elmets; Julie Block; Christopher G Harrod; Wendy Smith Begolka; Robert Sidbury Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2014-05-09 Impact factor: 11.527
Authors: Y Sano; K Masuda; R Tamagawa-Mineoka; H Matsunaka; Y Murakami; R Yamashita; E Morita; N Katoh Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 2013-03 Impact factor: 4.330