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Soy allergy is not common in atopic children: a multicenter study
G Bruno1, P G Giampietro, M J Del Guercio
1Department of Pediatrics, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Summary
Documented soy allergy is uncommon in atopic children, even those with early soy formula exposure. Skin tests may overestimate allergy, with few confirmed by challenge tests.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Clinical Nutrition
- Immunology
Background:
- Atopic children often have multiple food allergies.
- Early life nutrition, including soy formula, is a factor in allergy development.
- Accurate diagnosis of soy allergy is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of soy allergy in atopic children.
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of skin prick tests versus challenge tests for soy allergy.
- To investigate soy allergy rates in infants fed soy formula early in life.
Main Methods:
- Two groups of children were studied: 505 with suspected food allergy and 243 atopic infants fed soy formula for 6 months.
- Skin prick tests (SPT) and double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFC) were used.
- Prevalence was assessed based on positive SPT and confirmed by DBPCFC.
Main Results:
- In the allergic cohort, 6% had positive SPT to soy, but only 1.2% (6/505) had a confirmed allergy via challenge.
- In the soy-formula fed group, 6% had positive SPT to soy, with only 0.4% (1/243) confirmed by challenge.
- Skin prick tests showed a higher prevalence than confirmed challenge tests for soy allergy.
Conclusions:
- Documented soy allergy is not common in atopic children.
- Positive soy skin tests do not always indicate clinical soy allergy.
- Oral food challenges are essential for confirming soy allergy diagnosis in at-risk children.