[Allergy diagnosis in childhood (author's transl)]

The determination of total IgE with the PRIST as well as its relevance to paediatric diseases is discussed. An allergic basis to bronchial asthma is detected by RAST in 80% of affected children, which contrasts with only 50% positive results found in adults. The most important allergens are grass pollens, house dust, house dust mite, cat hair, guinea-pig hair and moulds. The existence of pscyhosomatic factors as the sole cause of asthma is questioned. Furthermore, hyposensitization treatment is discussed and emphasis laid on the importance of suppressor-T-cells.