Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025
Resolving Water, Proteins, and Lipids from In Vivo Confocal Raman Spectra of Stratum Corneum through a Chemometric Approach
Published on: September 26, 2019
The association between constipation and subsequent risk of atopic dermatitis in children: the Japan Environment and
Yoshihiko Takano1,2, Yuri Aochi1,3, Satoyo Ikehara1,3
1Division of Environmental Medicine and Population Sciences, Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University.
Insights
Constipation in one-year-olds is linked to a slightly increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis (AD) by age three. This study highlights a potential early indicator for childhood eczema risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Dermatology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The relationship between constipation and atopic dermatitis (AD) in young children remains understudied.
- Investigating this association is crucial for understanding early childhood health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between constipation in infancy and the subsequent development of atopic dermatitis in toddlers.
- Utilizing data from a large-scale, nationwide birth cohort study in Japan.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the Japan Environment and Children's Study, including 62,777 participants.
- Constipation defined as ≤2 bowel movements/week at 1 year; AD assessed via questionnaires and physician diagnosis up to 3 years.
- Multivariable logistic regression used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for AD development.
Main Results:
- Atopic dermatitis (AD) affected 22.6% of children by age 3.
- Constipation at 1 year of age was associated with a statistically significant increased risk of developing AD.
- The adjusted odds ratio for developing AD in children with constipation was 1.18 (95% CI, 1.01-1.38).
Conclusions:
- Infant constipation is associated with a modestly elevated risk of developing atopic dermatitis (AD) by age three.
- Findings suggest a potential link between early gut health and the development of allergic skin conditions.
Background:
No study has examined the association between constipation and atopic dermatitis (AD) in infants and toddlers. We aimed to explore that association in toddlers using the data from a nationwide birth cohort study.
Methods:
From the Japan Environment and Children's Study, a nationwide prospective birth cohort study that began in 2011, children born in a singleton live birth were analyzed. Participants completed questionnaires containing questions related to bowel movements and AD, during 1.5 to 3 years after birth. Constipation at 1 year of age was defined as having ≤2 bowel movements per week. AD was defined based on participant's responses to the modified ISAAC questionnaire and/or self-reported physician's diagnosis. Outcome was defined as the cumulative number of AD cases that occurred until 3 years of age. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for development of AD were calculated by a multivariable logistic regression.
Results:
From a total of 62,777 participants who met the study inclusion criteria, 14,188 children (22.6%) were affected by AD between the ages of 1.5 and 3 years. The adjusted OR of developing AD for the presence versus absence of constipation at 1 year of age was 1.18 (95% CI, 1.01-1.38).
Conclusion:
Constipation at 1 year of age was associated with a slightly higher risk of AD until 3 years of age.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
01:25Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are: