TITLE:
Eating Habits and Their Impact on Atopic Dermatitis: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study of 342 Cases
AUTHORS:
Pascaline Masudi Ngolo, Pierre Bitingo Kitha, Michel Mulyumba Kyembwa, Désiré Byemero Ndayazi, Nono Seudjip, Stanis Okitotsho Wembonyama
KEYWORDS:
Dietary Habits, Atopic Dermatitis, North Kivu Provincial Hospital
JOURNAL NAME:
Case Reports in Clinical Medicine,
Vol.14 No.9,
September
18,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: The correlation between atopic dermatitis and food allergies is well-documented within the scientific community. However, the precise influence of various food allergens on the worsening of atopic dermatitis symptoms remains a subject of considerable debate and ongoing research. This study aims to explore in depth the potential link between dietary habits and the severity of atopic dermatitis in a pediatric population living in Goma. Methods: As part of an analytical approach, a cross-sectional study was conducted in the dermatology department of the North Kivu Provincial Hospital, involving a sample of 342 patients examined between January and June 2025. The collected data were digitized and analyzed using SPSS software, version 26. Results: The study revealed that 35.7% of patients suffered from a severe form of atopic dermatitis. Univariate analysis showed a statistically significant association between the severity of atopic dermatitis and several factors, including urban residence (p = 0.002), the dry season (p Conclusion: The hypothesis that eliminating or selectively introducing certain foods may be a relevant therapeutic strategy to reduce the risk of severity associated with atopic dermatitis in children deserves consideration.