ABSTRACT
The authors report a sery of 16 cases of intolerance to the benzoates in children. Sixteen children (9 boys and 7 girls) were directed to the Hospital of Tarbes from June 1995 to July 1995, for recurring urticaria (7/16) combined with asthma (1/16), atopic eczema (2/16), dermorespiratory syndrome (2/16) and asthma (1/16). All were subject to an immunological examination comprising alimentation inquiry, prick test, IgE determination, RAST, oral provocation test to benzoates, which establishes the diagnosis, whose confirmation is certified by the benefit of the food eviction. To conclusion, the authors underline several points: the presumable underestimation of the intolerance, the often mentioned atopic familial context, the observed pathology (urticaria, asthma, eczema), the importance of the provocation test. Finally, besides food such as grey shrimps, sodas and antibiotic syrups, one finds benzoates in the antiallergic syrups initially prescribed as a preventive measure.
Subject(s)
Benzoates/adverse effects , Drug Hypersensitivity/etiology , Food Hypersensitivity/etiology , Food Preservatives/adverse effects , Asthma/chemically induced , Asthma/immunology , Asthma/pathology , Child , Child, Preschool , Drug Compounding , Drug Eruptions/etiology , Drug Eruptions/immunology , Drug Eruptions/pathology , Drug Hypersensitivity/epidemiology , Drug Hypersensitivity/immunology , Drug Hypersensitivity/pathology , Eczema/chemically induced , Eczema/immunology , Eczema/pathology , Female , Food Hypersensitivity/epidemiology , Food Hypersensitivity/immunology , Food Hypersensitivity/pathology , Food-Drug Interactions , Humans , Hypersensitivity, Immediate/genetics , Infant , Male , Radioallergosorbent Test , Skin Tests , Urticaria/chemically induced , Urticaria/immunology , Urticaria/pathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Some foods and drug additives may induce allergic reactions. CASE REPORT: A girl with a family history of asthma in both parents developed asthma in her early life. She was successfully given continuous bronchodilator therapy until the age of 7 years. At that time, she had more frequent and severe exacerbations (8 within 10 months) despite reinforced continuous treatment. Oral challenges with bisulfite and sodium benzoate, both additives abundantly ingested by the patient, revealed heightened sensitivity to administration of sodium benzoate. Avoidance of this additive was followed by complete and prolonged disappearance of episodes of coughing and wheezing. CONCLUSION: Adverse reactions to benzoate in this patient required avoidance of some drugs, some of those classically prescribed under the form of syrups in asthma.
