Subject(s)
Food Hypersensitivity/diet therapy , Neurodermatitis/diet therapy , Dietary Carbohydrates/administration & dosage , Dietary Carbohydrates/adverse effects , Dietary Proteins/administration & dosage , Dietary Proteins/adverse effects , Food Hypersensitivity/etiology , Food Preservatives/adverse effects , Humans , Margarine/adverse effects , Neurodermatitis/etiology , Triticum/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Two siblings aged 4 and 7 years presented with a goitre and growth retardation. Laboratory data revealed hypothyroidism with elevated TSH, low T4 und T3, and a decreased urinary iodine excretion. Both children suffered from neurodermitis and because of that for already two years on a vegetarian diet free of any milk products; their nutrition contained sufficient calories but not enough iodine or vitamin B.
Subject(s)
Diet, Vegetarian , Food Hypersensitivity/diet therapy , Goiter, Endemic/etiology , Iodine/deficiency , Neurodermatitis/diet therapy , Child , Child, Preschool , Food Hypersensitivity/genetics , Goiter, Endemic/genetics , Humans , Male , Neurodermatitis/genetics , Nutritional Requirements , Thyroid Function TestsABSTRACT
In 132 children with neurodermitis, we measured specific IgG and IgE antibodies against components of cow's milk, soy milk, and egg. In addition we performed epidermal tests by rubbing the nutrients onto the intact skin. The results were compared to the effect of complete omission of milk, egg, and soy during four weeks and with the outcome of subsequent reexposition. We used standardized scales to evaluate the neurodermitis and the skin reactions and for the clinical response to the oral challenge. The best prediction for the outcome of the oral challenge was obtained by the epidermal test which had to be done with whole milk, soy milk and egg white; there was no further advantage in testing egg yolk or soy oil. IgE antibodies followed next in their predictive value. No further precision was gained by the combination of epidermal testing with IgE results, by the measurement of IgE antibodies to the constituents of cow's milk, of IgG antibodies, and of the platelet count during oral challenging. Positive reactions to oral administration after four weeks' omission of allergenic food were relatively frequent in the age group below three years, but rare in school children and adolescents.
Subject(s)
Food Hypersensitivity/complications , Neurodermatitis/etiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Food Hypersensitivity/diet therapy , Food Hypersensitivity/immunology , Humans , Immunoglobulin E/analysis , Immunoglobulin G/analysis , Infant , Male , Milk Hypersensitivity/complications , Milk Hypersensitivity/diet therapy , Milk Hypersensitivity/immunology , Neurodermatitis/diet therapy , Neurodermatitis/immunology , Platelet Count , Radioallergosorbent Test , Skin TestsABSTRACT
For patients with neurodermatitis nutrition gains an increasing importance as part of therapy. To evaluate the psychological meaning of nutrition, 150 patients were given a questionnaire. 124 of them answered. 75% believe a diet to be indispensible or important. On the other hand, 17-37% never have been on diet and only 6-7% dieted with the only purpose to better their skin symptoms. This discrepancy coincides with the fact that these patients feel not sufficiently informed. This leads to the hypothesis that the wish for a diet is often based on unfullfillable hopes. Therefore the next step after allergological diagnostics is the information of the patient which should also become an integrative part of further therapy.
