A recent observational study evaluated potential biomarkers to predict atopic dermatitis (AD) development in infants by assessing serum markers and cutaneous measurements in 40 newborns over 12 months. The study found that infants who developed AD showed significantly higher transepidermal water loss (TEWL) at the anterior cubital fossa at 1, 6, and 12 months, indicating impaired skin barrier function early in life. Additionally, higher levels of CCL17 and IL-31 in cord blood serum were observed in infants who later developed AD, suggesting these biomarkers may be useful in predicting susceptibility to the condition.

The findings highlight the potential predictive value of CCL17 and IL-31 levels at birth and TEWL measurements over time in identifying infants at risk for AD. However, no significant differences were found for other biomarkers, such as thymus stromal lymphopoietin or CCL18, between the AD and non-AD groups. These results emphasize the need for larger studies to validate the use of these markers for early identification and intervention in infants at risk of developing AD.

Reference: D’Erme AM, Fidanzi C, Bevilacqua M, et al. Cord Blood Serum Levels of IL-31 and CCL17, Cutaneous Markers, and Development of Atopic Dermatitis. JAMA Dermatol. 2024;160(10):1112-1115. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.3178.