Premium
Milk and ovalbumin‐specific IgG 4 in childhood atopic eczema: serum levels in relation to dietary changes
Author(s) -
Sloper K.,
Brostoff J.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
pediatric allergy and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.269
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1399-3038
pISSN - 0905-6157
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3038.1991.tb00175.x
Subject(s) - ovalbumin , medicine , immunoglobulin e , immunology , atopic dermatitis , allergy , antibody , atopy , antigen
Serum levels of cow milk‐specific IgG 4 (IgG 4 ‐milk) and ovalbumin‐specific IgG 4 (IgG 4 ‐ova) were found to be raised in a group of children with atopic eczema. Patients with the highest levels had IgE‐mediated hypersensitivity to some foods but no correlation with IgG 4 results. Initial IgG 4 levels did not predict whether the eczema would improve after a diet eliminating cow milk, egg and some other foods. Changes in IgG 4 ‐milk during double‐blind milk challenges did not correlate with clinical changes in patient's eczema as measured by skin assessment. There seems to be no clinical value in measuring IgG 4 antibodies to milk and ovalbumin in children with atopic eczema, the high titres reflecting antigen response only.