[RAST positivity for food in atopic dermatitis]

In 113 children with atopic dermatitis RAST results for 9 food mixtures were analyzed. Sixty-eight children (60%) were RAST positive (greater than or equal to ++) for one or more mixture and 87% of those RAST positive had specific IgE for egg and/or cereals and/or legumes. Sensitization to egg, cow milk and meat was more frequent in the first years of life. RAST for the mixture of cereals and each single cereal, performed in 37 children, gave concordant results in 76%; agreement for the positive results was 88%, but only 54% for the negative ones. Breast versus cow milk feeding in the first months of life was not found to affect intensity of the skin manifestations or frequency of RAST positivity for the food mixtures or the respiratory symptoms.