Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis.  2006 Sep;16(3):208-215.

Study on Persistence of Egg Allergy and Its Risk Factors in Infants and Young Children with Atopic Dermatitis

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Korea. kmaped@smc.samsung.co.kr
  • 2Department of Pediatrics, Korea University School of Medicine, Korea.
  • 3Department of Pediatrics, Eulji University School of Medicine, Korea.
  • 4Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Natural Sciences, Kookmin University, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE: We attempted to observe the natural course of egg allergy and to investigate the risk factors predicting the likelihood of persistence of egg allergy in infants and young children with atopic dermatitis.
METHODS
A total of 125 infants with atopic dermatitis and egg allergy were enrolled in this study. Egg allergy was defined when the serum egg white-specific IgE was equal or greater than 2 U/mL by CAP-FEIA.(Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) After follow-up evaluation of serum egg white-specific IgE, they were classified into two groups: "persistent" group(egg white- specific IgE> or =2 U/mL in children younger than 2 years and > or =7 U/mL in those older than 2 years) and "non-persistent" group. Median follow-up duration was 15 months. Specific IgE levels at first visit, family histories of allergic diseases, histories of breast milk feeding and the presence of sensitization to multiple food allergens were compared between the two group.
RESULTS
The numbers of the "persistent" group and the "non-persistent" group were 75(60%) and 50(40%), respectively. The "persistent" group had higher egg white-specific IgE levels at first visit, more sensitization to multiple food allergens, and more breast-feeding than the non-persistent group.(P<0.05) Family histories of allergic diseases were not significantly different between the two groups.(P>0.05)
CONCLUSION
Sixty percent of infants with atopic dermatitis and egg allergies showed persistent egg allergies during the median follow-up of 15 months. Infants with higher egg white-specific IgE level and sensitization to multiple food allergens at the initial evaluation are likely to develop persistent egg allergies.

Keyword

Egg allergy; Atopic dermatitis; Egg-white specific IgE

MeSH Terms

Allergens
Child*
Dermatitis, Atopic*
Egg Hypersensitivity*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Immunoglobulin E
Infant*
Milk, Human
Ovum*
Risk Factors*
Allergens
Immunoglobulin E
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