Vitamin D Supplementation in Childhood Atopic Dermatitis

Randomized Trial of Vitamin D Supplementation in Winter-related, Childhood Atopic Dermatitis

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the therapeutic role of vitamin D supplementation in a subset of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD): children with disease onset or worsening in the winter. The investigators hypothesis is that (1) vitamin D supplementation in patients with either wintertime onset or exacerbation of AD will improve Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores, and (2) vitamin D supplementation will improve the Investigator's Global Assessment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 2-17 years
• AD rated 10-72 by EASI scale
• Wintertime onset or exacerbation of AD

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active skin infection
• History of summertime onset or exacerbation of AD
• History of underlying illness causing immunosuppression within the past 2 years (eg. hematologic malignancies)
• Medications causing iatrogenic immunosuppression (eg. cyclosporine; azathioprine, oral steroids) taken within the past month
• Parathyroid disease
• Acute or chronic renal disease
• Hypercalcemia or hypocalcemia
• Thyroid disease
• History of osteomalacia or Paget's disease of bone
• History of malabsorption (eg cystic fibrosis)
• Planned trip to sunny climate during the one-month study