Development of IgE autoantibodies in newborns with atopic dermatitis (DIANA): protocol of a prospective, non-interventional, observational birth cohort

Introduction Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, pruritic inflammatory skin disorder that typically begins in early childhood and affects up to 20% of children. Infants with a family history of allergic diseases or with elevated total IgE levels are at increased risk of developing AD.

Emerging evidence shows that a subgroup of AD patients produce IgE autoantibodies against skin self-peptides, which are suggested to play a role in disease pathophysiology and predict the development of allergic diseases later in life. Notably, such autoantibodies have been detected in up to 15% of infants with AD under 1 year of age, indicating that IgE autoantibodies can arise early in life.

The 'Development of IgE Autoantibodies in Newborns with (high risk to develop) Atopic dermatitis' (DIANA) study is a prospective birth cohort designed to address these knowledge gaps by following a target of 500 newborns during their first 24 months of life.