Abstract

Background: Asthma continues to be an increasing cause of morbidity in the pediatric population, and studies have shown an association between food sensitivity and asthma. Objective: We investigated the degree of food allergen sensitization in inner-city patients with asthma. Methods: Five hundred four random serum samples from the National Cooperative Inner City Asthma Study were evaluated for specific IgE (UniCap) to 6 common food allergens (egg, milk, soy, peanut, wheat, and fish). Statistical analyses were performed to determine food sensitization prevalence and its association with asthma morbidity. Results: Forty-five percent of patients had evidence of sensitization (food-specific IgE ≥0.35 kU/L) to at least 1 food. Nineteen percent had IgE levels at ≥50% positive predictive value for clinical reactivity to at least 1 food, with 4% of patients having levels >95% positive predictive value for food allergy. Children sensitized to foods had higher rates of asthma hospitalization (P <. 01) and required more steroid medications (P =. 025). Sensitization to foods also correlated with sensitization to more indoor and outdoor aeroallergens (P <. 001). Conclusion: Food allergen sensitization is highly prevalent in the inner-city population with asthma, and it is associated with increased asthma healthcare and medication use. Therefore, food allergen sensitivity may be a marker for increased asthma severity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1076-1080
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume115
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2005

Keywords

  • Asthma
  • Food allergy
  • IgE
  • Inner-city children
  • Sensitization

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Food allergen sensitization in inner-city children with asthma'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this