[Evaluation of bronchial hyperreactivity in children with asthma undergoing food challenges].
It has been shown that food allergy does not always manifest within the respiratory tract in such as obvious way as: dyspnea, cough or wheezing. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of food allergens on bronchial reactivity in children with asthma challenged with food.


METHODS
A total of 304 patients (age range 5.5 to 18 years, mean 9.5 +/- 4.69 years) with atopic asthma were evaluated for food allergy by means of questionnaire, skin prick testing with food allergens, specific IgE tests (Unicap 100) and double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC). Bronchial hyperreactivity was measured by methacholine inhalation challenges performed before and after DBPCFC in 70 asthmatic patients suspected of food allergy.


RESULTS
IgE-related food allergy was confirmed by DBPCFC in 24 asthmatic children. The mean FEV1 before and after food challenges in the group with IgE-related food allergy, as well as in the group without IgE-related food allergy, was not significantly different (p > 0.05). The mean PC20 in IgE-related food allergy group was 1.41 +/- 1.12 mg/ml and 0.86 +/- 0.71 mg/ml before and after food challenge respectively which was significantly different (p < 0.05). In the group without IgE-related food allergy the mean PC20 was 1.93 +/- 1.68 and 2.02 +/- 1.75 before and after challenge respectively (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
IgE-related food allergy was present in 9.8% children with asthma. Prevalence of respiratory manifestations induced by foods in children with asthma is 4.1%. Food challenges in these children increased bronchial reactivity, without exacerbation. Evaluation of food allergy in patients with asthma is indicated.
Department of Allergology, Gastroenterology and Feeding of Children, Medical University of Łódź, Poland. anetkrog@poczta.onet.pl
Aneta
A
Krogulska
Krystyna
K
Wasowska-Królikowska
Jarosław
J
Dynowski
D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000276:immunology*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012882:Skin Tests; D013147:Spirometry
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E