Evaluating Skin Barrier Dysfunction in Infants at High Risk of Atopy

It is hypothesized that food allergy is preceded by atopic dermatitis (AD), due to a disruption of skin barrier which can predispose one to food sensitization through the skin. The central hypothesis is that increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) assessment and skin tape strip analysis (STS) of lipid and filaggrin breakdown products will be predictive markers for the development of AD. Additionally, the associated changes in TEWL and STS will further improve the identification of infants at risk of early food sensitization, compared to family history alone.