The natural history of egg allergy in an observational cohort.
2014 Feb
Journal Article
Authors:
Sicherer, S.H.;
Wood, R.A.;
Vickery, B.P.;
Jones, S.M.;
Liu, A.H.;
Fleischer, D.M.;
Dawson, P.;
Mayer, L.;
Burks, W.;
Grishin, A.;
Stablein, D.;
Sampson, H.A.
Secondary:
J Allergy Clin Immunol
Volume:
133
Pagination:
492-9
Issue:
2
PMID:
24636473
DOI:
10.1016/j.jaci.2013.12.1041
Keywords:
Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Dermatitis, Atopic; Egg Hypersensitivity; Female; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Immunoglobulin E; Immunoglobulin G; Infant; Male; Skin Tests
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: There are few studies on the natural history of egg allergy, and most are single-site and nonlongitudinal and have not identified early predictors of outcomes.OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the natural course of egg allergy and to identify early prognostic markers.METHODS: Children age 3 to 15 months were enrolled in a multicenter observational study with either (1) a convincing history of an immediate allergic reaction to egg, milk, or both with a positive skin prick test (SPT) response to the trigger food and/or (2) moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and a positive SPT response to egg or milk. Children enrolled with a clinical history of egg allergy were followed longitudinally, and resolution was established based on successful ingestion.RESULTS: The cohort with egg allergy consists of 213 children followed to a median age of 74 months. Egg allergy resolved in 105 (49.3%) children at a median age of 72 months. Factors that were most predictive of resolution included the following: initial reaction characteristics (isolated urticaria/angioedema vs other presentations), baseline egg-specific IgE level, egg SPT wheal size, atopic dermatitis severity, IgG4 level, and IL-4 response (all P < .05). Numerous additional baseline clinical and demographic factors and laboratory assessments were not associated with resolution. Multivariate analysis identified baseline egg-specific IgE levels and initial reaction characteristics as strongly associated with resolution; a calculator to estimate resolution probabilities using these variables was established.CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of infants with egg allergy, approximately one half had resolved over 74 months of follow-up. Baseline egg-specific IgE levels and initial reaction characteristics were important predictors of the likelihood of resolution.
