Impact of Vitamin D Supplementation on Severity of Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

Impact of Vitamin D Supplementation on Clinical Severity and Immunologic Tolerance of Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

The purpose of this study is to determine whether oral vitamin D supplementation improves the clinical severity of atopic dermatitis in children. In addition, this study plans to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on several key aspects of the immune system of children with atopic dermatitis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Atopic dermatitis diagnosed according to Hanifin and Rajka criteria
• Age 2 - 17 years
• SCORAD 10 - 103

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active skin infection
• History of underlying illness causing immunosuppression within the past 2 years
• Immunosuppressors taken within the past month
• Parathyroid disease
• Sarcoidosis
• Acute or chronic renal disease
• Hyper or hypocalcemia
• Thyroid disease
• Osteomalacia or Paget's disease of bone
• Malabsorption
• Use of VD supplements (> 400 IU daily) or fish oil supplements in the past month
• Treatment for known VD deficiency in the last 6 months
• Treatment with moderate or high potency topical corticosteroids, oral or topical antibiotics, oral antivirals, immune enhancers, or topical calcineurin inhibitors in the past 7 days
• Phototherapy in the past month
• Autoimmune disease or immunodeficiency
• Planned trip to sunny climate during the 6-week study.