Assessment of Nutritional Status in Children with Atopic Dermatitis Associated with Food Allergy

Aim. To assess the nutritional status and body composition of children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and food allergy (FA).

Design. Prospective comparative observational study.

Materials and methods. We observed 129 children: 59 participants in the main group with AD, the exacerbations of which are associated with FA, and 70 children in the comparison group. Age — from 1 year to 6 years (mean age — 3.44 ± 1.61 years). In the main group, there were 32 (54.2%) boys and 27 (45.8%) girls. Mild AD was observed in 12 (20.3%), moderate — in 36 (61.1%), severe — in 11 (18.6%) children. All patients followed elimination diets. A comprehensive clinical, laboratory, instrumental, allergological (for specific IgE antibodies to food allergens) examination was conducted, as well as measuring the height and body weight of patients. Body composition was determined by bioimpedancemetry.

Results. Assessment of nutritional status showed that Z-score indicators were normal in 24 (40.7%) patients of the main group and in 54 (77.1%) children from the comparison group. Mild and moderate body weight deficit was observed only in the main group — in 31 (52.5%) children. In the main group and in the comparison group, children with overweight and obesity were identified (6.8 and 22.9%, respectively, p = 0.0003). Anthropometric indicators according to Z-score corresponded to the parameters of body component composition. A detailed analysis of the body component composition showed that children with mild to moderate underweight had disorders in the form of decreased lean, fat, skeletal muscle and active cell mass, which most accurately reflects the nutritional status of these patients. Etiologically significant allergens were egg (47.5%) and cow's milk (35.6%), as well as soy (16.9%), cod (13.6%), and wheat (13.6%).

Conclusion. Most children with AD and PA had nutritional deficiencies associated with alimentary factors (deficiency of nutrients due to long-term elimination diets). Some children, on the contrary, were overweight and obese, which is an alarming sign. The type of diet therapy in such patients should be selected depending on the nutritional status and body component composition.

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