Body mass index and serum lipid profile: Association with atopic dermatitis in a paediatric population

Background/Objectives The association between atopic dermatitis, body weight and serum lipid levels is not well known, and very few studies have examined this relationship in children. Methods Children (n = 239) under 14 years old participated in this prospective cross-sectional study. The following variables were recorded: age, gender, weight, height, atopic dermatitis severity, serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. Results Mean body mass index was slightly higher in atopic dermatitis patients than healthy controls and significantly higher in atopic dermatitis patients aged 0-2 years (atopic dermatitis, 16.7 +/- 4.6; controls, 15.7 +/- 1.3; P = 0.04) and 12-14 years (atopic dermatitis, 24.9 +/- 5.3; controls, 20.6 +/- 3.4; P = 0.03). Among atopic dermatitis patients, body mass index was significantly higher in those with severe atopic dermatitis in the 9-12 (P = 0.03) and 12-14 (P = 0.01) years groups. Mean serum lipid levels were higher in patients with severe atopic dermatitis than in the atopic dermatitis group as a whole. These differences reached statistical significance for total cholesterol (P = 0.04) and triglycerides (P = 0.02). Conclusion The prevalence of overweight, obesity and dyslipidemia is greater in children with atopic dermatitis than in age-matched healthy counterparts.