184 CONTROLLED TRIAL OF HYPOSENSITIZATION IN FOOD INDUCED HYPERKINETIC BEHAVIOUR DISORDER

Abstract

Enzyme potentiated hyposensitization (EPH) was tested in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 36 children with food induced hyperkinetic behaviour disorder. Children with established hyperkinetic syndrome underwent oligoantigenic diet (few foods) treatment for 4 weeks. Those whose behaviour became normal subsequently identified provoking foods by sequential reintroduction of foods. Foods which reproducibly provoked overactivity were avoided. 36 patients in whom provoking foods were established by this method were invited to take part in the hyposensitization trial. They were randomly assigned to treated and control groups. Treated patients received 3 doses of EPH (beta-glucuronidase and low levels of food antigens) intradermally at bimonthly intervalls. Control patients followed the same protocol but received buffer only. After the treatment was completed patients were allowed to eat provoking foods. Of the 18 patients who had received active treatment 15 had become tolerant towards provoking foods compared to 2 of 18 in the control group (p<0.001, X2 Test). The results show, that EPH gives significant protection from food induced overactivity, and indicate that food allergy is a possible mechanism of the hyperkinetic syndrome. References Egger J, Carter, CM, Gumley, D, Graham, PJ, Soothill, JF; Controlled trial of oligoantigenic diet treatment of the hyperkinetic syndrome. Lancet 1985: 1. 540-545 Mc Ewen LM; Enzyme potentiated hyposensitization. Five case reports of patients with acute food allergy. Ann Allergy 1975; 35:98-103