title: Trace element levels in children with atopic dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Trace elements are micronutrients that are present in small amounts in the body and are essential for normal functioning of the immune and antioxidant systems. Inflammation and oxidative stress are major pathogenic mechanisms in the development of atopic dermatitis (AD). The role of micronutrients in AD has been investigated in a limited number of studies, although the results are contradictory.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we examined the levels of iron, copper, and magnesium in serum and the level of zinc in erythrocytes in children with AD. We compared our findings with those of a healthy control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population comprised 92 AD patients and 70 controls. We performed a complete blood count and measured levels of iron, copper, and magnesium in serum and levels of zinc in erythrocytes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that serum magnesium and erythrocyte zinc levels were lower in children with AD than in the control group; levels of copper and iron did not differ between the groups. The levels of micronutrients studied were not correlated with disease severity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evaluation of zinc and magnesium levels in children with AD could prove useful. The role of micronutrients in the pathogenesis and course of AD warrants further study.
authors.affiliation: Ankara Children's Hematology Oncology Education and Research Hospital, Department of Pediatric Allergy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toyran
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaymak
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vezir
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harmanci
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaya
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Giniş
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Köse
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Kocabaş
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc