Background: Central nervous system injuries can trigger some cellular systemic inflammatory reactions, which can also express receptors for neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and neurotrophins. Thus, epilepsy, neuropsychiatric problems, stress, attention deficit disorders, hyperactivity, and autism spectrum disorders may be associated with some immune-mediated diseases, like atopic dermatitis. We aimed to investigate a possible link between neurological disorders caused by neonatal brain injuries with atopic dermatitis and high IgE levels in infants. Methods: Infants at risk of neurological disability, including structural brain injury detected by transfontanellar ultrasound (SCITU), intraventricular hemorrhage and secondary hydrocephalus, periventricular leukoencephalomalacia, and neonatal asphyxia, were included. Bayesian analysis was performed. Infants who presented with neurological disorders, atopic dermatitis, or exposure to environmental allergens were identified, and IgE levels were measured. Results: Seventy-four patients completed the study. Thirty infants (40%) presented atopic dermatitis. Patients with neurological disorders had a higher risk of presenting with atopic dermatitis compared to patients without neurological disorders (RR 3.23 95% CI 1.68-6.19). Patients with SCITU also had a higher risk of developing atopic dermatitis compared to patients without SCITU (RR 1.78 95% CI 1.23-2.56). Relative risk of atopic dermatitis was also higher in patients exposed to environmental allergens (RR 3.72 95% CI 1.76-7.87). No differences were found in IgE levels between the compared groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest a potential link between neurological disorders with atopic dermatitis and high IgE levels, highlighting a possible bidirectional communication between central nervous system and the immune system.
Vasco-Morales et al. (Fri,) studied this question.