Associations Between Serum Resolvin D1 Levels and Food Allergy Persistence in Children

The pathophysiology and natural course of childhood food allergies (FAs) remains largely elusive. Recent findings have implicated resolvins, omega-3 metabolites, in the pathogenesis and resolution of FAs, highlighting their potential clinical significance. This investigation aimed to elucidate the clinical implications of resolvins in the manifestation and resolution of childhood FAs.

Serum samples were collected from a cohort of children diagnosed with FA and healthy controls upon their first visit to the Severance Children's Hospital (Seoul, Korea). FA persistence was assessed for each patient based on follow-up records. Resolvin D1 (RvD1) levels were measured and their correlation with total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and allergen-specific IgE levels were evaluated.

This study included 278 children (mean age 3.28 ± 3.17 years; 62% male), consisting of 92 children with resolved FA (resolved FA group), 113 children with persistent FA (persistent FA group), and 73 children (control group). RvD1 levels were significantly higher in children with FA than in controls (P < 0.001), and were significantly higher in the persistent FA group than in the resolved FA group (P = 0.045). A positive correlation was found between total IgE and RvD1 levels (r = 0.32, P < 0.001), particularly in the persistent FA subgroup. Furthermore, the correlation between RvD1 and total IgE was stronger in children with multiple FAs (r = 0.367, P < 0.001). RvD1 levels were also positively correlated with egg- and milk-specific IgE levels, especially in the persistent FA group.

Our findings suggest that RvD1 is a candidate metabolite associated with the persistence of childhood FA, across various food allergens and may provide complementary information to existing clinical features.