Effect of atopic dermatitis on the natural course of food allergy in infants and young children

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: There have been studies showing that food allergy plays a role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. However, there have been few studies about the effect of atopic dermatitis on remission of food allergy. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the difference in remission according to the presence of atopic dermatitis in infants and young children with milk or egg allergy. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 109 infants and young children with IgE-mediated food allergy in a tertiary hospital. They divided into food allergy with atopic dermatitis (FA with AD) and without atopic dermatitis (FA without AD). RESULTS: In the milk allergy group, initial milk-specific IgE levels were 21.16±27.98 kU(A)/L and 11.36±22.88 kU(A)/L, respectively, in FA with AD and FA without AD under 12 months of age. The remission rates of milk allergy at 36 months of age were 64.9% and 90.0%, respectively, in FA with AD and FA without AD. In the egg allergy groups, initial egg-specific IgE levels were 34.48±36.72 kU(A)/L and 15.66±28.60 kU(A)/L, respectively, in FA with AD and FA without AD under 12 months of age. The remission rates of egg allergy at 36 months of age were 61.2% and 90.0% in children with FA with AD and FA without AD. CONCLUSION: Atopic dermatitis may play an important role in the natural history of food allergy in infants. Different strategies are needed for the management of food allergy in young children with atopic dermatitis.