[Research on infants with atopic dermatitis caused by food allergies].
We have examined 370 infants less than 12 months of age with atopic dermatitis about food allergies, especially by egg white antigens. Since the results of the skin scratch test and serum specific IgE antibody test often correspond to each other, only the serum specific IgE antibody test was given to infants over 6 months of age. An oral provocation test using boiled egg white was given to 176 patients, and 52 of them showed immediate positive reaction. The number of patients with a positive reaction was much fewer than expected. This may be due to lowered levels of egg white antigens from being boiled, and the majority of patients that took the test were over 12 months of age. Those infants with atopic dermatitis often react positively to both serum specific IgE antibody tests and skin scratch tests, therefore follow up studies on changes in the level of serum IgE antibody and reaction to oral provocation tests with infants over 6 or 7 months of age must be done to determine if egg whites need to be eliminated from their diet or not.
Ashizawa
Kagari
K
Department of Dermatology, Kure Kyosai Hospital. kyosai@joy.ocn.ne.jp
D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000209:etiology*; D015387:Egg Proteins, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012882:Skin Tests
D015387:Egg Proteins, Dietary; D007073:Immunoglobulin E