The diagnostic accuracy of the atopy patch test in diagnosing hypersensitivity to cow's milk and hen's egg in unselected children with and without atopic dermatitis.

Abstract

Previous studies have suggested that the atopy patch test (APT) may make oral challenge superfluous in diagnosing children with food hypersensitivity. To investigate the clinical relevance of APT in predicting hypersensitivity to cow's milk and hen's egg in 486 unselected children 3 years of age. The children were examined by APT, skin prick (SPT), histamine release (HR), and specific IgE followed by oral challenge when hypersensitivity to cow's milk or hen's egg was suspected. Food hypersensitivity confirmed by oral challenge was 1.6% to hen's egg and 0.6% to cow's milk. No hypersensitivity to cow's milk or hen's egg was predicted by APT alone. APT could not predict food hypersensitivity not predicted by SPT, HR, or specific IgE. Thus, APT cannot be recommended in daily practice for the diagnosis of hypersensitivity to cow's milk and hen's egg in children 3 years of age.