Maternal alcohol exposure and atopic dermatitis in offspring: A scoping review protocol

Abstract

Maternal alcohol use is a modifiable, yet significant public health concern, causing fetal alcohol syndrome and neurodevelopmental disorders. Research has predominantly focused on the neurodevelopmental consequences of maternal alcohol consumption, but growing evidence suggests that these effects may extend to the developing immune system, potentially increasing the risk of allergic and inflammatory conditions such as atopic dermatitis in offspring, which remains underexplored. This scoping review aims to map the available literature on the association between maternal alcohol exposure (preconception and pregnancy) and atopic dermatitis in offspring, including exposure patterns, outcome measures, and hypothesized biological mechanisms. The protocol follows Joanna Briggs Institute methodology with PEO framework (Population: offspring, Exposure: maternal alcohol use, Outcome: atopic dermatitis), and has been registered prospectively on the Open Science Framework (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/EWGPB ). A comprehensive search of electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science) and grey literature sources will be conducted from inception through the final search date. Two independent reviewers will screen titles, abstracts and full texts, with disagreements resolved by consensus or third-reviewer arbitration. Peer-reviewed original research articles in English reporting maternal alcohol use and diagnosed atopic dermatitis in offspring will be included. Data extraction will comprise study characteristics, exposure timing and measurement, outcome diagnostic criteria and age of assessment, key findings, and reported biological mechanisms. The preliminary findings will be validated through consultation with clinical stakeholders, including experts in allergy medicine, paediatricians, dermatologists, psychiatrists and obstetricians, to maximise the review’s relevance and to identify practical implications for antenatal care and paediatric dermatology. Results will be presented through narrative synthesis, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, to identify evidence gaps and inform future research and policy.