Device-derived skin moisture, oil and softness scores in infants and young children with atopic dermatitis: a prospective case-control study
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital
- 2Department of Public Health, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine
- 3Department of Pediatrics, Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital
- 4Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease that predominantly affects infants and children. AD is associated with impaired skin barrier function, increased transepidermal water loss and reduced skin hydration. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has been used as a non-invasive approach for estimating skin moisture-related parameters. This study aimed to investigate skin moisture percentage and additional device-derived skin surface scores (MOIST, OIL, and SOFTNESS) in children with AD and to evaluate their relationship with disease severity. Methods This prospective case-control study was conducted from January to March 2025 at the University of Health Sciences Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital. The study included 50 children with AD and 50 control children without clinically apparent AD or visible inflammatory skin disease. All participants were aged 0–2 years, defined as children younger than 3 years. Skin moisture percentage and device-derived MOIST, OIL and SOFTNESS scores were measured using a portable bioelectrical impedance device. AD severity was assessed using the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index and grouped according to commonly used total SCORAD severity thresholds. Complete blood count parameters were recorded for both groups, whereas serum total IgE, serum specific IgE levels for hen’s egg, cow’s milk, and nuts, and skin prick test results were additionally recorded in the AD group. Results Children with AD had significantly lower skin moisture percentage than controls (33.15% versus 44.0%; p = 0.001). Device-derived MOIST, OIL, and SOFTNESS scores were also significantly lower in the AD group than in controls. These parameters were lower in children with severe AD than in those with mild-to-moderate AD. In the AD group, food allergen sensitization was detected in 20 patients (40%); however, in this exploratory subgroup analysis, device-derived skin parameters did not differ significantly between patients with and without allergen sensitization. Conclusions Children with AD had lower device-derived skin moisture percentage and skin surface scores than controls without clinically apparent AD or visible inflammatory skin disease. These parameters were also lower in severe AD. Device-derived skin surface measurements may provide supportive, non-invasive information on skin surface changes in children with AD; however, further validation studies are needed before routine clinical use.
Related
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Children with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome: A Prospective Observational Study
- Atopic Dermatitis and Probiotic Use in Children Aged 1–4 Years: Findings from a Nationwide Survey in Serbia
- Association of Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number With Atopic Dermatitis in Children
- Salivary Melatonin Levels in Comparison with Disease Features and Antihistamine Use: Prospective Follow-Up of Atopic Dermatitis Patients
- Dupilumab efficacy in children aged 6 months to younger than 6 years with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and clinical characteristics of early super-responders.
BibTeX
@article{alkaya2026devicederived,
title = {{Device-derived skin moisture, oil and softness scores in infants and young children with atopic dermatitis: a prospective case-control study}},
author = {Halil Alkaya and Uğur Altaş and Zeynep Meva Altaş and Ebru Oğultekin Vazgeçer and Yakup Söğütlü and Mehmet Yaşar Özkars},
journal = {BMC Pediatrics},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12887-026-07373-6},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-026-07373-6},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Device-derived skin moisture, oil and softness scores in infants and young children with atopic dermatitis: a prospective case-control study
AU - Halil Alkaya
AU - Uğur Altaş
AU - Zeynep Meva Altaş
AU - Ebru Oğultekin Vazgeçer
AU - Yakup Söğütlü
AU - Mehmet Yaşar Özkars
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC Pediatrics
DO - 10.1186/s12887-026-07373-6
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-026-07373-6
AB - Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease that predominantly affects infants and children. AD is associated with impaired skin barrier function, increased transepidermal water loss and reduced skin hydration. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has been used as a non-invasive approach for estimating skin moisture-related parameters. This study aimed to investigate skin moisture percentage and additional device-derived skin surface scores (MOIST, OIL, and SOFTNESS) in children with AD and to evaluate their relationship with disease severity. Methods This prospective case-control study was conducted from January to March 2025 at the University of Health Sciences Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital. The study included 50 children with AD and 50 control children without clinically apparent AD or visible inflammatory skin disease. All participants were aged 0–2 years, defined as children younger than 3 years. Skin moisture percentage and device-derived MOIST, OIL and SOFTNESS scores were measured using a portable bioelectrical impedance device. AD severity was assessed using the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index and grouped according to commonly used total SCORAD severity thresholds. Complete blood count parameters were recorded for both groups, whereas serum total IgE, serum specific IgE levels for hen’s egg, cow’s milk, and nuts, and skin prick test results were additionally recorded in the AD group. Results Children with AD had significantly lower skin moisture percentage than controls (33.15% versus 44.0%; p = 0.001). Device-derived MOIST, OIL, and SOFTNESS scores were also significantly lower in the AD group than in controls. These parameters were lower in children with severe AD than in those with mild-to-moderate AD. In the AD group, food allergen sensitization was detected in 20 patients (40%); however, in this exploratory subgroup analysis, device-derived skin parameters did not differ significantly between patients with and without allergen sensitization. Conclusions Children with AD had lower device-derived skin moisture percentage and skin surface scores than controls without clinically apparent AD or visible inflammatory skin disease. These parameters were also lower in severe AD. Device-derived skin surface measurements may provide supportive, non-invasive information on skin surface changes in children with AD; however, further validation studies are needed before routine clinical use.
SN - 1471-2431
ER -