Atopy patch tests with food allergens in children with diagnosed atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Background: Background: Atopic dermatitis is the most common disease associated with food allergy in pediatric patients and affects one of ten children in developed countries. Atopy patch tests can help to detect food allergies. We decided to rate the most common food allergens diagnosed with atopy patch tests in patients with atopic dermatitis. Aim: To evaluate the most common food allergens diagnosed by atopy patch tests in children with atopic dermatitis. Method: Our study included 299 4 months – 16 years old children with diagnosed atopic dermatitis, from 2017 to 2021. Retrospective analysis of outpatient personal data was performed. Food allergy was proved by performing atopy patch tests using Finn Chamber cameras and native food products (28 different food products). Skin lesions were evaluated after 48 and 72 hours. Results: 299 patients were examined in our study: 153 (51.2%) boys and 146 (48.8%) girls. The greatest part of our patients were infants and toddlers (86.6%). Atopy patch tests with food allergens were positive in 36.5% of patients. According to our study data, boys were statistically significantly more likely to become allergic to potato, beef, and fish in comparison with girls, while girls were more often allergic to milk. Our study revealed that the most common food allergens were grains (wheat, buckwheat, barley, rye) and peanuts (table 1). Positive (+++) atopy patch tests reactions were seen with peanuts, wheat, hazelnuts (table 2). Specific serum Immunoglobulins E with food allergens was performed in 154 (51.5%) children, 46 (29.9%) of them had elevated specific serum Immunoglobulins E. Skin prick tests with food allergens were performed in 53 (17.7%) and 20 (37.7%) of them were allergic. There was no correlation found between those two tests. Conclusion: Our study revealed that atopy patch tests in com-bination with case history, clinical examination, specific serum Immunoglobulins E, and skin prick tests are useful diagnostic tests when diagnosing food allergies in patients with atopic dermatitis. TAB LE 1. The most common food allergens diagnosed with a help of atopy patch tests in children. TAB LE 1. The most common food allergens diagnosed with a help of atopy patch tests in children. [...]. TAB LE 2. Positive (+++) reactions to food allergens diagnosed with atopy patch tests. [...].