[Raynaud-like phenomenon in infants with atopic dermatitis: correlation with serum endothelin-1 levels].

: Infants with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) sometimes have cold and pale fingers and toes as observed in patients with Raynaud-like phenomenon (RP). We tried to clarify the physiological mechanism of secondary RP in patients with AD. The correlation between serum endothelin-1 (ET-1) or nitrate (NO3) levels and the severity of AD was examined in 37 patients. As a result, RP was observed in 5 boys younger than 6 months of age and with severe AD. These 5 infants had high serum ET-1 levels. However, serum NO3 levels were only mildly elevated. These results suggest that secondary RP in AD may occur with elevated ET-1 caused by stressed and/or damaged endothelium in infants with severe AD.