계란 알레르기가 있는 아토피피부염에서 난백 특이 IgE 항체의 추적 검사 및 계란 알레르기 지속에 대한 위험인자 분석 = Study on Persistence of Egg Allergy and Its Risk Factors in Infants and Young Children with Atopic Dermatitis

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Purpose : We attempted to observe the natural course of egg allergy and to investigate the risk factors predicting the likelihood of persistence of egg allergy in infants and young children with atopic dermatitis. Methods : A total of 125 infants with atopic dermatitis and egg allergy were enrolled in this study. Egg allergy was defined when the serum egg white-specific IgE was equal or greater than 2 U/mL by CAP-FEIA.(Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) After follow-up evaluation of serum egg white-specific IgE, they were classified into two groups: persistent group(egg white-specific IgE ≥2 U/mL in children younger than 2 years and ≥7 U/mL in those older than 2 years) and non-persistent group. Median follow-up duration was 15 months. Specific IgE levels at first visit, family histories of allergic diseases, histories of breast milk feeding and the presence of sensitization to multiple food allergens were compared between the two group. Results : The numbers of the persistent group and the non-persistent group were 75(60%) and 50(40%), respectively. The persistent group had higher egg white-specific IgE levels at first visit, more sensitization to multiple food allergens, and more breast-feeding than the non-persistent group.(P<0.05) Family histories of allergic diseases were not significantly different between the two groups.(P>0.05) Conclusion : Sixty percent of infants with atopic dermatitis and egg allergies showed persistent egg allergies during the median follow-up of 15 months. Infants with higher egg white-specific IgE level and sensitization to multiple food allergens at the initial evaluation are likely to develop persistent egg allergies. [Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis(Korea) 2006;16: 208-215]