Does Vitamin D Defend Against Atopic Dermatitis?

Clinical severity decreased significantly after 3 months of vitamin D supplementation.

Prior studies have suggested that vitamin D insufficiency might contribute to atopic dermatitis (AD). To determine whether vitamin D supplementation would reduce AD severity, investigators conducted a prospective, single-center, interventional trial in which 39 children with chronic AD (age, 4±3.15 years) were administered oral vitamin D (1000 IU per day) for 3 months. The researchers also evaluated whether the intervention would diminish levels of T cell–derived cytokines implicated in the inflammatory response in AD.

At study entry, the mean vitamin D serum level in AD patients was in the insufficiency range, and only 7 of 39 had normal circulating vitamin D values. Of note, baseline vitamin D levels in AD patients were comparable to those…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)