[Risk indicators of reaginic allergy: relations between atopic dermatitis and serum specific IgE of various...

This study was conducted in 1,091 children and adolescents submitted to an allergy check-up for respiratory symptoms. All subjects had a research of IgE for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, cat and timothy grass pollen by CAP-System Pharmacia. Three hundred subjects had a personal history of atopic dermatitis. They were compared to the 791 others. No difference was found for age, sex, family history of allergic respiratory disease, breast feeding nor exposure to tobacco smoke. The IgE level was significantly enhanced among subjects with an history of atopic dermatitis, but this difference was due to a higher frequency of sensitisations. In subjects with at least one positive RAST (> 0.35 kIU/l) no significant difference was found (p = 0.41). The highest frequency of sensitisations in case of atopic dermatitis was exclusively related to the simultaneous sensitisation against all the three allergens. Such situation was more frequent when the atopic dermatitis was noted before the age of six months. On the other hand, the sensitisation severity, according to RASTs' classes, was independent of atopic dermatitis history. The author points out the necessity of strong primary preventive measures of pneumallergen environmental avoidance for all infants with atopic dermatitis.