Document Type : original article
Authors
1 CHILDRENS' HOSPITAL 'AGIA sOPHIA'
2 Children's Hospital 'Agia Sophia'
3 Children's Hospital 'Agia Sophia
Abstract
Background: We analyzed retrospectively the data from 1090 referrals for investigation of allergy.
Methods: Detailed clinical history, skin tests, specific IgE
Results: Food allergy was a significant percentage of the referrals (27.17%). IgE and non –IgE allergy was detected in a percentage 20.02% and 7.15% respectively. The prominent symptom of IgE mediated allergy was generalized urticaria and and/or angioedema, while anaphylaxis was detected in 12.58%. More frequent sensitizations were milk, egg, and tree nuts with a significant sensitization to peanut. Comorbidities such as eczema, allergic rhinitis and asthma were not reported frequently (18.58% and 12.89% respectively). Among patients with IgE milk allergy and allergic proctocolitis, a significant number responded to extended hydrolyzed milk.
Conclusions: We conclude that food allergy in children is an important workup of a specific Department on Allergy. The results are not included in previous reports regarding food allergy in Athens, Greece. We report the incidence of anaphylaxis and systemic reactions. We also report the high incidence of tree nut allergy, especially peanut and walnut, apart from the high incidence of milk and egg allergy. We detect high incidence of FPIES syndrome in fish. We report the incidence of concommittant diseases including allergic rhinitis/asthma and eczema and compare with the literature.
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