Vitamin D and atopic dermatitis in childhood

J Immunol Res. 2015:2015:257879. doi: 10.1155/2015/257879. Epub 2015 Apr 20.

Abstract

Vitamin D features immunomodulatory effects on both the innate and adaptive immune systems, which may explain the growing evidence connecting vitamin D to allergic diseases. A wealth of studies describing a beneficial effect of vitamin D on atopic dermatitis (AD) prevalence and severity are known. However, observations linking high vitamin D levels to an increased risk of developing AD have also been published, effectively creating a controversy. In this paper, we review the existing literature on the association between AD and vitamin D levels, focusing on childhood. As of today, the role of vitamin D in AD is far from clear; additional studies are particularly needed in order to confirm the promising therapeutic role of vitamin D supplementation in childhood AD.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / drug therapy*
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / immunology*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Heliotherapy
  • Humans
  • Risk
  • Skin / immunology
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Tight Junctions / immunology
  • Tight Junctions / physiology
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Vitamin D / genetics
  • Vitamin D / metabolism*
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Vitamin D