title: On the reliability of RAST in childhood food allergy.
abstract: 144 children, showing adverse reactions to cow's milk and/or egg, were studied retrospectively. The case finding criteria used was positive elimination and challenge tests with the offending food (s). Specific IgE against the offending food(s) were found in 70% of cases, the majority of whom exhibited early-onset symptoms. RAST seems to be a useful laboratory test in food allergy characterized by early-onset symptoms. Likewise, RAST may be a valuable tool when severe reactions following the ingestion of food are suspected, and dangerous challenge tests are to be avoided.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002645:Chickens; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004531:Eggs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E