A follow-up study of children with asthmatoid bronchitis. I. Skin test reactions and IgE antibodies to common allergens.

Abstract

SUMMARYEighty‐one children, 2–66 months old, with asthmatoid bronchitis were followed for 15–40 months (mean 31 months). The children were physically examined 3–4 times a year. Blood samples were taken on these occasions. Skin prick tests were done at the beginning and at the end of the investigation period. Antibodies of the IgE class, as measured by RAST, were found against animal danders, pollens or house dust in 5 children at the first examination and during the follow‐up period in another 5 children. Strongly positive prick test reactions were accompanied by a positive RAST in 86%, smaller wheals less frequently. IgE antibodies to egg white or cow's milk were found in 26 children, in many cases during the first year of life and occasionally as early as at the age of 3 months. As the children grew older the titres decreased and the antibodies seemed to be of clinical importance only in a few cases with high titres to the egg white extract. In contrast, IgE antibodies to animal danders were not detected until 11/2 years of age and those to pollen not until 3 years of age. These antibodies showed increasing titres with time and they seemed to be of clinical importance in all but a few cases with very low titres.