Food allergy in children with hypogammaglobulinemia

Abstract

IntroductionAntibody production defects may predispose children to inflammatory pathologies and therefore we hypothesized that this group of immune deficiencies may be associated with food allergy. Objective of the studyTo better characterize the interrelated pathomechanisms of food allergy coexisting with hypogammaglobulinemia in children and to define the relationship between clinical manifestation of antibody production defects and food allergy. Material and methodsTwenty-three children aged from 8 to 88 months regularly followed-up in the pediatric pneumonology, allergology and immunology clinic due to hypogammaglobulinemia concerning one or more major immunoglobulin isotypes were retrospectively reviewed in terms of incidence and manifestation of concomitant food allergy. Information regarding the patient's history of allergic diseases and laboratory data concerning serum levels of immunoglobulins, including total IgE, were obtained from chart review. ResultsClinical symptoms of food allergy were identified in 17 of 23 (74%) children studied. The mean age of onset of clinical symptoms was 2.7 months. Eczema was the most frequent manifestation present in 16 children, diarrheas and abdominal cramps were noted equally in 3 children, gastroesophageal reflux disease was diagnosed in 2 children as well as vomiting was observed in 2 children. Atopy was revealed in 8 of 17 children (47%) with food allergy. ConclusionsFood allergy is a common health problem coexisting with antibody production defects in infants and young children. Clinical symptoms correlate better with low immunoglobulin levels than with serum IgE, that is not a suitable diagnostic criterion for allergic disease in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia.