title: The association of atopic dermatitis in infancy with immunoglobulin E food sensitization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively investigate the association of high levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization to foods and the presence of atopic dermatitis (judged by reported topical steroid use during the first 16 months of life) in a birth cohort of 620 Australian children "at risk" of allergic disease because of family history.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 559 of the children in the cohort were fully evaluated, and the cumulative prevalence of atopic dermatitis was 24%. More children in the cohort who had atopic dermatitis had strongly positive skin test results (> or = 4+, histamine equivalent units, > or = approximately 6-mm wheal), consistent with IgE food sensitization to either cow's milk, egg, or peanut at 6 months (22% vs 5%, chi(2) = 35; P < 10(-6)) and at 12 months (36% vs 11%, chi(2) = 41; P < 10(-6)) than those without atopic dermatitis. The calculated attributable risk percent for IgE food sensitization as a cause of atopic dermatitis was 65% and 64% at these times. In a separate group of infants with severe atopic dermatitis, the equivalent rates of IgE food sensitization at 6 months was 83% and at 12 months, 65%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IgE food sensitization is a major risk factor for the presence of atopic dermatitis in infancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sporik
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thorburn
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Hosking
mesh_terms: D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E