Food restriction, nutrition status, and growth in toddlers with atopic dermatitis

Background Multiple factors affect growth in children with atopic dermatitis (AD). We investigated food restriction practice, nutrition, and growth in children with AD. Food restriction is defined as restriction ≥3 types of food due to AD or food allergy. Methods A cross‐sectional study was performed in 150 children aged 12‐36 months. Exclusion criteria: recurrent infections, moderate to severe asthma, recent systemic steroid, other diseases affecting growth/nutrition. Growth parameters, SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), hemoglobin, hematocrit, sodium, potassium, albumin, protein, calcium, phosphate, B12, iron, and folate values were determined. Parents completed a 3‐day food diary. Results The prevalence of food restriction was 60.7%. Commonly restricted foods were shellfish 62.7%, nuts 53.3%, egg 50%, dairy 29.3%, and cow's milk 28.7%. Food‐restricted children have significantly lower calorie, protein, fat, riboflavin, vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorus and iron intakes and lower serum iron, protein and albumin values. Z scores of weight‐for‐age (−1.38 ± 1.02 vs −0.59 ± 0.96, P = .00), height‐for‐age (−1.34 ± 1.36 vs −0.51 ± 1.22, P = .00), head circumference‐for‐age (−1.37 ± 0.90 vs −0.90 ± 0.81, P = .00), mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC)‐for‐age (−0.71 ± 0.90 vs −0.22 ± 0.88, P = .00), and BMI‐for‐age (−0.79 ± 1.15 vs −0.42 ± 0.99, P = .04) were significantly lower in food‐restricted compared to non‐food‐restricted children. More food‐restricted children were stunted, underweight with lower head circumference and MUAC. Severe disease was an independent risk factor for food restriction with OR 5.352; 95% CI, 2.26‐12.68. Conclusion Food restriction is common in children with AD. It is associated with lower Z scores for weight, height, head circumference, MUAC, and BMI. Severe disease is an independent risk factor for food restriction.