Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Several authors have unanimously evaluated therelationship between obesity alone and atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between nutritional status and the severity of AD in Congolese children. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted over 6 months (November 2023 to April 2024) at two sites selected for logistical reasons: University Clinics of Kinshasa and Ngaliema Medical Center, in the dermatology and pediatric consultation departments. The study population consisted of all children aged 0-18 years with atopic dermatitis. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0, with a significance level of p<0.05. RESULTS: Of 684 children examined, 259 (37.9%) had AD. The M/F sex ratiowas 0.8%. The median age was 6 years (3-11 years), with a higher proportion of children aged 0-5 years (53.3%). Moderate AD was more frequent (56%), without statistical significance. Severe malnutrition and underweight were protective factors against AD in the 0-5 and 6-18 age groups respectively [p = 0.985; OR 0.1 (0.01-0.2)]. CONCLUSION: Nutritional status in atopic children has no impact on the expression of atopic dermatitis. Etiological studies of the case-control or prospective cohort type would enable this assertion to be verified.