Allergic symptoms and sensitisation in adolescents with cows' milk allergy and atopic eczema in infancy

Abstract

Background: The association between atopic sensitisation, atopic eczema (AE) and asthma is known, but distinct roles of allergies on long-term health are unestablished. Objective: Evaluation of allergic symptoms and sensitisation in adolescents who in infancy had AE and verified cows' milk allergy (CMA) or AE and a negative CMA challenge, and controls. Methods: Children with AE, with and without CMA, from a randomised controlled study in 1999-2001 examining the effect of probiotics on AE severity at older than 12 months of age, attended a follow-up visit at age 16 to 18, with age-matched controls. Data came from a questionnaire (ISAAC questionnaire), analysis of serum antigen-specific immunoglobulin Es (IgEs), and clinical evaluation. Group comparisons were carried out (χ2 tests and logistic regression). Results: Fifty-two patients with AE and CMA (AE/CMA+ group), 52 with AE and suspicion of CMA (AE/CMA− group), and 57 controls attended a study visit. IgE-mediated sensitisation was significantly more prevalent in the AE/CMA+ group vs the controls, for horse, cat, dog, egg white and wheat (P