Serum prolactin levels in atopic dermatitis and the relationship with disease severity.

BACKGROUND Prolactin performs as a neuroendocrine modulator of skin epithelial cell proliferation and the skin immune system. OBJETIVE The aim was to assess the serum prolactin levels in patients with atopic dermatitis and the relationship with disease severity. METHODS The study was performed on 46 patients with atopic dermatitis and 100 healthy controls aged between 0.5 years and 19.5 years. The diagnosis of atopic dermatitis was based on clinical findings and the severity of the disease was documented. Venous blood sampling was performed in order to measure prolactin levels. RESULTS Prolactin levels in atopic dermatitis were not different from controls and there was no relationship between the severity of atopic dermatitis and serum prolactin levels. Prolactin may not have a role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Further studies with larger sample sizes and measurement of prolactin levels in the skin may help to understand the role of prolactin in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis.