[Raynaud-like phenomenon in infants with atopic dermatitis: correlation with serum endothelin-1 levels].
Infants with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) sometimes have cold and pale fingers and toes as observed in patients with Raynaud-like phenomenon (RP). We tried to clarify the physiological mechanism of secondary RP in patients with AD. The correlation between serum endothelin-1 (ET-1) or nitrate (NO3) levels and the severity of AD was examined in 37 patients. As a result, RP was observed in 5 boys younger than 6 months of age and with severe AD. These 5 infants had high serum ET-1 levels. However, serum NO3 levels were only mildly elevated. These results suggest that secondary RP in AD may occur with elevated ET-1 caused by stressed and/or damaged endothelium in infants with severe AD.
Kojima
Takatsugu
T
Kojima Clinic, Japan. kojimata@tj8.so-net.ne.jp
Taniuchi
Shoichiro
S
Aoki
Takao
T
Hatano
Yasuko
Y
Yamamoto
Akemi
A
Sasai
Misa
M
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000209:etiology*
D019332:Endothelin-1; D009566:Nitrates