[Oral provocation tests (OPT) in the skin pathology of children]

The purpose of oral food challenges is to detect food intolerance. Challenges of food additives and drugs are not often used in children. The authors report methods and protocols that they used for food, food additives and contaminants and emphasize the potential dangers of these tests. Atopic diseases and chronic urticaria are the principal indications. Cow's milk, eggs and fish are the allergens that are most often incriminated. Oral challenges are only to be done as part of an integrated investigation together with skin tests, in vitro tests and a study of intestinal permeability. Food avoidance and therapy should be decided after the challenge data are available.