Study Links Diet to Gut Microbiome and Itch Severity in Children with Atopic Dermatitis

[medi K / HEALTH IN NEWS] A research team from Samsung Seoul Hospital in South Korea has uncovered significant links between dietary habits, gut microbiome composition, and itch severity in children with atopic dermatitis. The findings, published as part of a study supported by South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation, suggest that tailored dietary strategies could improve symptom management for young patients with this chronic skin condition.

The study involved 24 children aged 3 to 6 with atopic dermatitis and 51 healthy children. Researchers categorized the children’s diets into two groups: a “Korean-style diet,” characterized by rice-based meals and traditional foods like kimchi, and a “snack-centric diet,” marked by frequent snacking and reduced intake of staple meals, a common pattern in young children.

Children following the Korean-style diet reported significantly lower sleep disturbance scores due to itching, averaging 1.75, compared to 3.5 for those on a snack-centric diet—a twofold difference. Quality-of-life assessments further highlighted the disparity, with scores of 2.34 for the Korean-style diet group versus 7.25 for the snack-centric group, indicating a substantial impact on daily well-being.

These differences appear tied to the gut-skin axis, a biological connection between gut microbiome health and skin conditions. Children on snack-centric diets showed higher levels of gut bacteria such as Dorea and Anaerostipes, which were associated with more severe itching and poorer quality of life. In contrast, children on Korean-style diets and healthy controls had abundant Oscillibacter, a beneficial bacterium. Notably, increased kimchi consumption—a fermented vegetable dish central to Korean cuisine—was linked to higher Oscillibacter levels, which correlated with reduced itch severity.

(From left) Professor Min-Young Jung, Samsung Seoul Hospital; Professor Hye-Mi Kim, Pusan National University; Professor Ji-Hyun Im, UNIST (Photo provided by Samsung Seoul Hospital)

The study also found that children with lower vitamin C intake exhibited worse atopic dermatitis symptoms, underscoring the role of balanced nutrition.

Dr. Min-Young Jung, a lead researcher at Samsung Seoul Hospital, emphasized the importance of targeted nutrition. “Rather than blanket food restrictions, children with atopic dermatitis need a balanced diet tailored to their needs,” Dr. Jung said. “This study provides foundational data for dietary management of atopic dermatitis.”

For international readers, the Korean-style diet reflects a cultural emphasis on rice, vegetables, and fermented foods like kimchi, which is a staple in South Korean households and valued for its probiotic content. The snack-centric diet, meanwhile, mirrors a global trend among young children, where processed snacks often replace nutrient-dense meals.

The findings open the door to personalized dietary interventions, offering hope for better management of atopic dermatitis in children worldwide.

Kim Kuk Ju / press@themedik.kr

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