The status of immunotherapy in children--what are the problems?

Immunotherapy, widely used in the treatment of atopic disease, poses many problems. In asthma the multiple etiologic factors involved make clinical trials of its efficacy difficult to evaluate and immunological studies are badly needed. Allergen extracts of standard potency are essential. The author feels that practicing allergists must improve their knowledge of and expertise in immunotherapy if the patient is to derive maximum benefit from it.