Serum IgE measurement and detection of food allergy in pediatric patients with eosinophilic

Results: The overall prevalence of food and inhalant sensitization was 80%, with higher total IgE levels in sensitized vs nonsensitized patients (median, 150 vs 13 IU/mL; P .001). For foods, serum IgE measurement detected more positive results than did skin prick testing. Specific IgE to milk was most common (43%). Inhalants were implicated as frequently as were foods. In keeping with this, 32% of patients had a cluster of multiple sensitivities that included pollens, soy, grains, peanut, and tree nuts and had higher total IgE levels (P .001). Patch test results were interpreted as positive in 39% of patients (rye, wheat, and soy were the most common). Conclusions: Most, but not all, patients with EE are highly atopic individuals with frequent allergic sensitivities. Thus, serum IgE measurement of low-titer IgE antibody may be useful in identifying relevant food sensitivities and in distinguishing subgroups of patients with EE, making a more directed approach to food avoidance possible. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2010;104:496–502.