Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2025
Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Relationship Between Cytokines and Face Skin Symptoms in Newborns in Two Japanese Cities
Kaori Yonezawa1, Sachi Higuchi2, Satsuki Shimizu1
1Department of Midwifery and Women's Health, Division of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Infant skin symptoms like papules are linked to specific cytokines, such as interleukin-8. This finding in newborns suggests different inflammatory pathways for various skin conditions, aiding future targeted treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal dermatology
- Immunology
- Pediatric inflammation
Background:
- Infant skin disorders manifest diverse symptoms due to varied inflammatory responses.
- Understanding the link between skin cytokines and neonatal skin conditions is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between skin cytokine levels and specific skin symptoms in newborns.
- To explore the role of cytokines in neonatal inflammatory skin conditions.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 231 healthy 1-month-old infants in Japan.
- Evaluation of infant facial skin symptoms: erythema, papules, dryness, exudate/yellow scaling.
- Measurement of skin cytokine levels (interleukin-4, -6, -8, -17) via skin blotting; multilevel analysis.
Main Results:
- Papules were significantly associated with interleukin-8 (IL-8) positivity (AOR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.09-3.47), even after adjustments.
- Prevalence of symptoms: papules (57.6%), erythema (25.5%), dryness (16.0%), exudate/yellow scaling (6.9%).
- Cytokine levels were linked to specific skin conditions in neonates.
Conclusions:
- Cytokine levels correlate with neonatal skin symptoms, indicating distinct inflammatory pathways.
- Findings suggest symptom-specific cytokine involvement in infant skin conditions.
- This research may inform the development of targeted preventive strategies for neonatal skin issues.
Aim:
Several skin disorder symptoms may appear in infants, each resulting from a different inflammatory response. In this study, we investigated the relationship between skin cytokine levels and skin symptoms in newborns.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted in Tokyo and Oita, two Japanese cities. The participants were healthy, 1-month-old infants and their parents. Symptoms including erythema, papules, dryness, and exudate/yellow scaling on infant faces were evaluated as outcomes. Cytokine levels (interleukin [IL]-4, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-17) were measured by skin blotting. A multilevel analysis using a mixed-effects model was conducted to account for regional differences.
Results:
A total of 231 infants (119 from Tokyo and 112 from Oita) participated in this study. Erythema, papules, dryness, and exudate/yellow scaling were present in 59 (25.5%), 133 (57.6%), 37 (16.0%), and 16 (6.9%) of the infants, respectively. In terms of the associations between symptoms and cytokines, there was a significant association between papules and IL-8 positivity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-3.47) even after adjustment for differences in barrier function, area, and skin care.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrated that cytokines were linked to skin conditions, even after accounting for regional differences and genetic factors. This suggests that different symptoms point to the involvement of various cytokines in skin conditions in neonates, with mechanisms varying based on the symptoms. These findings could aid in developing specific preventive strategies in the future.
