The predictive value of specific immunoglobulin E levels in serum for the outcome of oral food challenges.

Background: Specific serum IgE is considered as one of the important diagnostic measures in the diagnostic work-up of food allergy.

Objective: To evaluate the role of specific serum IgE in predicting the outcome of oral food challenges, and to determine threshold concentrations of specific serum IgE that could render double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges unnecessary.

Methods: In 501 children (median age 13 months), 992 controlled oral challenges were performed with cow's milk (CM), hen's egg (HE), wheat and soy.

Specific IgE levels do not indicate persistence or transience of food allergy in children with atopic dermatitis.

Background: Food allergy in early childhood usually resolves with time; however, little is known about predictors for persistence or transience of food allergy in children with atopic dermatitis. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether specific IgE levels in serum could be a useful predictor of the outcome of oral re-challenges.

Methods: In 74 children, 99 oral food challenges were performed (cow milk n = 48, hen egg n = 37, and wheat n = 14) and repeated after a median time interval of 16 months.