Predictive factors of egg allergy clinical outcomes in infants and young children

Abstract

Abstract Aim: To explore the tolerance march in children and identify potential factors that affect the prognosis of egg allergy (EA). Methods: Two hundred children(age range, 6 months-2.5 years)with atopic dermatitis (AD) were recruited from 2018 to 2019. EA was diagnosed based on medical history, skin prick test (SPT), and the oral food challenge (OFC) test. EA was diagnosed in 78 children; among these, 7 were allergic only to egg yolk (Only EYA), 20 to egg white (Only EWA), and 51 to whole egg (WEA). Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for outcomes during the disease course. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to establish a predicting model. Results: The Scoring Atopic Dermatitis score in the WEA group was more severe and persistent than that in the other groups. Forty-three cases of EA developed clinical tolerance (average age, 32.3 ± 8.7 months). The tolerance rate of EYA and EWA was 75.9% and 56.3%, respectively. The SPT wheal diameter at initial diagnosis (SPTdiag) was a risk factor for persistent EA. The SPT wheal diameter after 6 months (△SPT6mo) in the tolerant group was markedly decreased compared to that in the persistent EA group. Tolerance was higher when △EW-SPT6mo ≥ 39.5% or △EY-SPT6mo ≥ 27%. Conclusion: The initial SPTdiag and SPT6mo values were significantly correlated with and can predict outcomes of EA.