Atopic nature of prurigo of hebra [PoH]: a comparative study of the clinicoimmunological picture in PoH, atopic and normal children

ABSTRACT

Twenty children with clinical features of both severe [Prurigo Ferox] and mild forms [Prurigo Mitis] of Prurigo of Hebra [PoH] were clinically studied to assure freedom of any allergic disorders. IgE IgG, IgA and IgM were estimated and compared with those of children with atopic disorders namely; atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma. They were also compared with immunoglobulins of normal control children. IgE, IgG and IgM main levels in children with PoH showed a highly significant elevation over that of the normal control children. IgE mean level almost equalized that of bronchial asthma children. IgE mean level in children with atopic dermatitis was still higher than in those with PoH or bronchial asthma. IgG levels in Ferox form was as high as that in atopic dermatitis. Factors determining severity and distribution of PoH need to be clarified