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.(P0.05) 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.