Follow-up Study of Children with Egg Allergy: Comorbidity of Allergic Diseases and Factors Affecting Prognosis

Shin, Woo Jong; Kim, Seung Yeoun; Ahn, Young Min

Abstract

PURPOSE
Sensitization to eggs in infancy has been reported to be associated with increasing the risk of respiratory allergic diseases during childhood. So our study was designed to follow up children who have had atopic dermatitis with egg allergy and to evaluate the prognosis according to family history, early egg elimination diet, house dust mite sensitization, egg/histamine wheel ratio of skin prick test, RAST class and age tolerance to find the risk factors which might be helpful for applying some preventable measures. METHODS: Twenty three children diagnosed with egg allergy at Kangnam General Hospital between March 1988 and March 2000 were studied retrospectively. At the time of the first visit, we interviewed an feeding methods, past medical history, atopic family histories and performed skin prick tests, and total IgE and egg-white specific IgE tests (RAST). At the time of the last visit, we evaluated whether the children had allergic diseases or not, as well as prognosis and other allergen sensitization. RESULTS: Four (17.4%) children resolved allergic symptoms, Fifteen (65.2%) children had atopic dermatitis, 11 (47.8%) children had asthma, and 12 children (52.2%) had allergic rhinitis. Prognosis was good in children with early tolerance and no sensitization to house dust mites. There was no relationship between prognosis and atopic family history, early egg elimination diet, infant feeding methods, or RAST class. CONCLUSION: Because 19 (82.6%) of 23 children with egg allergy have persistent allergic diseases and related to sensitization of house dust mites, early environment intervention for house dust mites must be evaluated to prevent other allergic diseases.