Frequency of raised serum IgE level in childhood atopic dermatitis.

Objective: To see the frequency of raised serum IgE level in children with atopic dermatitis.

Methods: The study was conducted in the out patient department of Dermatology, "Ziauddin University", KDLB Campus Karachi, from 1st October 2005, till 30th September 2006. Patients belonging to both sexes, aged upto 15 years, clinically diagnosed as atopic dermatitis were enrolled. The clinical severity was graded as mild, moderate and severe forms. Sera of all these patients were tested for IgE levels by ELISA.

Results: The study comprised of 124 patients, including 73 males (59%) and 51 females (41%). A total of 86 patients (70%) had a raised serum IgE level from a cut off value of 87 IU/ml. A large number of patients suffered from moderate disease (47%), followed by mild form (33%) and severe disease (20%). Serum IgE levels were divided into 3 groups i.e. upto cut off value (87 IU/ml) accounting for 31%, followed by 88 to 1000 IU/ml (41%) and 1001 to 3000 IU/ml (28%). Of the severely affected 25 patients (20%), 20 (57%) had values ranging from 1001 to 3000 IU/ml while another 3 (6%) ranged less then 1000 IU/ml (P < 0.001). Of those with moderate disease (47%), 13 patients (37%) had serum IgE levels ranging from 1001 to 3000 IU/ml, while 25 (49%) had levels less then 1000 IU/ml (P = 0.24). Of those affected mildly (33%), 23 (45%) had values ranging from 88 upto 1000 IU/ml and 2 patients (6%) had levels from 1001 to 3000 IU/ml (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Majority of children suffering from atopic dermatitis have a raised serum level of IgE, which in turn correlates well with severity of the disease.