[Atopy score in infancy and the severity of asthma at 7 years of age]

Due to limitations in early diagnosis of atopy at wheezy infants in 1982 the authors introduced a special scoring system called "atopy-score". This evaluates the skin prick tests' results, serum IgE level, the presence of other allergic symptoms, and atopy in the family history. The relationship between atopy-score in early childhood and severity of atopic asthma at age 7 was investigated in 30 children (15 mild, and 15 severe asthmatics). It was proved, that atopy-score during infancy was high in those children who had severe atopic asthma at seven, and low in those who developed mild disease: 9.2 vs. 5.9. The findings indicate that wheezy infants with high atopy-score are candidates for preventive measures and early protective treatment.