Atopic dermatitis, diarrhoea and atopic sensitization in the first year oflife

Vomiting and diarrhoea are more common in children with atopic dermatitis ( AD) than in other children [2]. We investigated the association of gastroin testinal symptoms with the development of atopic sensitization. 92 infants with at least one first degree relative with atopy (specific IgE against at least one allergen > 0.7 kU/l) were observed during the first year of life . 22 children (23,9%) developed AD in the first I? months, 18 (19,6%) had d iarrhoea in the context of febrile disorders. The prevalence of febrile dia rrhoea was significantly higher in infants with AD (8/22 = 36.4%) than in i nfants without AD (10/70 = 14.3%). After one year, children with AD and feb rile diarrhoea had more often specific IgE against food in the serum and to tal IgE in feces. IFN gamma-production of peripheral blood mononuclear cell s after stimulation with Concanavalin A was significantly lower in these ch ildren. The data indicates that local allergic reactions in the gut play a role in the development of atopic sensitization in children with AD.