ROLE OF SKIN PATCH TEST IN DIAGNOSING FOOD ALLERGY IN CHILDREN WITH ATOPIC DERMATITIS
Abstract
The aim of the study was to netermine peculiarities of allergy in children with atopic dermatitis and to evaluate the significance of skin patch test in determining the food allergens. Methods. Three hundred and seven children (230 children suffering from atopic dermatitis and 77 children in the control group) were examined. Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed by Standard diagnostic criteria, severity of the progress of the disease was determined uing SCORAD index and the amount of total IgE in blood, patch tests with the main food allergens were performed. Results.The age of the patients variem from 6 months to 18 years, however, was dominating toddlers and pre-school age children (1-7 years). Mild form of atopic dermatitis was dominating (n = 103; 44,8%). Analysis of the total IgE amount in blood showed different degree of sensitivity of the children tested. Normal amount of the total IgE in blood was found in 164 (71,3%) of children with atopic dermatitis and 61 (79,2%) children in the control group.The positive skin patch test with 25 food allergens was found in 154 (67%) and negatyve in 76 (33%) children with atopic dermatitis. The most common allergens found with the help of skin patch test are soy, milk, peanuts, parrot, wheat. By assessing the results of the patch test with respect to the childrens age, we determined that children suffering from atopic dermatitis and who were below 7 years o fage had a 34% higher chance of haveing a positive patch test when compared with older children (α = 0,05; β = 0,01). Conclusions. Skin patch test is an informatike and reliable diagnostic test in evaluating the delayed type allergic reactions for children with atopic dermatitis. Terefore it is very importan to do the skin patch test for toddlers and prie-school age chlidren. In about half of the tested persons with atopic dermatitis, food allergy appeared in delayed type allergic reactions. The most common food allergens found with the help of skin patch test for the children with atopic dermatitis - soy, milk, peanuts, carrot and wheat.
