Evaluation of Banana Hypersensitivity Among a Group of Atopic Egyptian Children: Relation to Parental/Self Reports

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency of banana sensitization and allergy among a group of atopic Egyptian children in relation to parental/self reports. METHODS: This is a case-control study included 2 groups of allergic children with and without history of banana allergy, each included 40 patients. They were subjected to skin prick test (SPT) using commercial banana allergen extract and prick-prick test (PPT) using raw banana, in addition to measuring the serum banana-specific IgE. Oral banana challenge was performed in suspected cases. RESULTS: Banana allergy was diagnosed in 3 (7.5%) patients based on positive history of allergy on exposure to banana, positive SPT/PPT and elevated banana-specific IgE. The 3 patients had bronchial asthma with exacerbation upon banana exposure. The PPT results conform with those of SPT both in diagnosis of banana allergy and in the skin reactivity to banana. Serum banana-specific IgE was detectable in the whole studied sample with higher serum level among those without history of banana allergy (P=0.005). Oral banana challenge was negative for 20 patients with history of banana allergy and positive serum banana-specific IgE but negative SPT and PPT. CONCLUSIONS: Self/parental reports of banana allergy is high while the actual banana allergy is uncommon. The PPT seems as reliable as SPT in diagnosis of banana allergy unlike specific IgE which reflects sensitization rather than allergy. Oral food challenge remains the most helpful tool for diagnosis of food allergy in suspected cases.

A Study of the Dietary Intakes and Causative Foods in Allergic Children / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Recently, allergic disorders in children have increased. The cause of allergic disorders made not clear. Therefore study in aspect of food and nutrition was required to prevent allergic disorders in children, show guide of dietary management. METHODS: This study was done in 78 children with allergy from July, 1997 to September, 1997, investigated family history of allergy and general environment with questionnaire, besides growth levels of children with allergic symptoms, nutrient intakes, eating behavior, and allergy-inducing foods. RESULTS: The results of this study are summarized as follows. 1) Allergic symptoms with a age 2-3 years old were asthma (46%), dermatitis (39%), hypersensitivity skin (7%), urticaria (5%) and rhinitis (5%). At age 4-6 years, asthma was 54%, dermatitis 44%, rhinitis 28%, hypersensitivity skin 10%, and urticaria 3%. Most of the dermatits was caused by unknown etiology, temperature change and house dust mite. Asthma was caused by house dust mite and temperature change. Urticaria was caused by foods and rhinitis was caused by house dust mite. 2) Tomato was the most common food as a cause of allergic disease and peach, mackerel, yoghurt, cheese, and egg were included. Urticaria was provoked mainly by tomato and peach, diarrhea was induced by milk, yoghurt and cheese, vomiting by quail eggs, and swelling lip was induced by tomato. 3) The average daily calory intake was 80% of the RDA at the age of 2-3 years old, 66% at the age of 4-6 year old. Protein and fat intake were similar as RDA. The other nutrients intake at the age of 2-3 and 4-6 years old were 106% and 71% for calcuim, 49% and 52% for iron, 30% and 31% for zinc, respectively. The amount of vitamin intake also lower than RDA for both age groups. CONCLUSION: The average calory intake and other nutrients intake for the children with allergic symptoms were lower than RDA. But they showed relatively normal growth pattern compared with the Korean growth standard. It is necessary to findout the food that provoke the allergic symptoms and make guideline for diet therapy for the children with a various allergic symptoms.