The diagnostic value of skin prick testing in children with food allergy.

摘要

Hill DJ, Heine RG, Hosking CS. The diagnostic value of skin prick testing in children with food allergy. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2004: 15: 435-441. (c) 2004 Blackwell MunksgaardThe diagnostic accuracy of the skin prick test (SPT) in food allergy is controversial. We have developed diagnostic cut-off levels for SPT in children with allergy to cow milk, egg and peanut. Based on 555 open food challenges in 467 children (median age 3.0 yr) we defined food-specific SPT weal diameters that were '100% diagnostic' for allergy to cow milk (>/=8 mm), egg (>/=7 mm) and peanut (>/=8 mm). In children <2 yr of age, the corresponding weal diameters were >/=6 mm, >/=5 mm and >/=4 mm, respectively. These SPT cut-off levels were prospectively validated in 90 consecutive children