Children who experience frequent colds and fevers may be more likely to develop eczema, according to a study published in JAMA Dermatology. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a condition that causes itchy, red, and dry skin, affecting approximately one in five children in the UK. It is understood to be influenced by a combination of genetic factors, immune system irregularities, and a compromised skin barrier.
The research analyzed data from two birth cohorts in Denmark and the United States. In the Danish cohort, 663 children were monitored until age three, with daily records of infections such as colds, ear infections, tonsillitis, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, and fever. The study found an association between respiratory infections and an increased risk of eczema. Children experiencing more infections were found to be 60 percent more likely to develop eczema compared to those with the fewest infections.
Researchers propose that early respiratory infections might impact the developing immune system in ways that heighten the susceptibility to eczema. These findings were consistent in a separate US cohort comprising 707 children. The association persisted even after accounting for antibiotic use and genetic variants, including the filaggrin gene, a known significant risk factor for eczema.
While the study highlights a potential long-term relationship between early respiratory infections and eczema, the authors noted that their observational design could not definitively establish a direct causal link. The study observed that many eczema diagnoses occurred concurrently with infection periods, making it challenging to determine if the infections preceded the condition.