title: [Comparison of food specific IgE antibody test (RAST) and skin tests in children with atopic dermatitis].
abstract: Thirty children with atopic dermatitis were enrolled in our study to evaluate the food specific IgE antibody assay (RAST) and skin tests as a screening test for food hypersensitivity. Our results showed that eight food antigens (fish, shrimp, crab, soybean, milk, egg-white, peanut, wheat) frequently elicited positive hypersensitivity reactions. Twenty-four patients had at least a positive skin reaction to one of the foods tested. Of the 240 skin tests, 30% (72/240) yield positive reactions. Eighteen patients had at least a positive RAST reaction to one of the foods tested, 20.9% (50/240) yield positive reaction. The agreement between skin test and RAST was 79.6%. Crab and shrimp accounted for most frequent positive reaction in both tests. The skin tests produced more positive results in skin testing than RAST, but gave a higher frequency of false positive results. The diagnosis of food allergy may be suspected from the medical history or by food specific IgE antibodies together with skin test as a screening test. Furthermore, the double blind placebo controlled food challenge should be considered as standard for clinical investigations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E