Age dynamics of the allergen-specific IgE level in children with food allergy and pathology of upper gastrointestinal tract

Abstract

Background. Food allergy is an emerging health problem in the last years. There are many different questionnaires that could be used to establish health-related quality of life in patients with food allergy and gastroduodenal pathology. The objective was to study the age-related dynamics of the allergic-specific IgE level in children with food allergy and pathology of upper gastrointestinal tract. Materials and methods. On the base of the Chernivtsy Regional Children’s Hospital, 76 children with food allergy associated with the pathology of upper gastrointestinal tract aged 7 to 18 years were examined. A clinical and laboratory examination was conducted twice. The allergen-specific IgE levels were measured in blood samples. The test was considered positive at IgE levels > 0.35 kU/l. Results. Тhe age-related dynamics of IgE-positive responses was detected. The frequency of IgE-positive responses was higher in older children. Different groups of food allergens provoke sensibilization in children during their life. The allergen-specific IgE index ranged from 0.56 to 458 kU/l, with an average value of 286.7 ± 22.3 kU/l. The IgE index increased with age and more often occurred in children with chronic gastroduodenitis — 90.6 %. Conclusions. Factors of food allergy in children are irrational feeding during the first year of life and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in older children. Age characteristics of IgE production require a differentiated diagnosis and treatment approach.

Keywords

• children
• food allergy
• pathology of the upper gastrointestinal tract
• IgE