Cow’s milk protein allergy as a model of food allergy in children with inherited epidermolysis bullosa

Abstract

Inherited epidermolysis bullosa includes a spectrum of rare genodermatoses characterized by dysfunction of the skin barrier, high permeability, and therefore high risks of sensitization to the most common allergens.The aim. To assess the prevalence of food allergies and immunological features of allergy to cow’s milk proteins among a large cohort of children with inherited epidermolysis bullosa.Materials and methods. He study was conducted with the participation of a small cohort of children of different age groups suffering from congenital epidermolysis bullosa. Children were necessarily consulted by an allergist and a nutritionist, a detailed anamnesis was collected, specific IgE to milk and its fractions were determined using ImmunoСАР.Results. A total of 173 children with a diagnosis of inherited epidermolysis bullosa were included in the study. Allergy to cow’s milk proteins was detected in 11.1% of children with a simple form of the disease and in 16.8% of children with dystrophic form. In the group of children with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, an IgE-mediated form of food allergy with a later onset was characteristic.Conclusion. A high frequency of allergy to cow’s milk proteins in patients with inherited epidermolysis bullosa has been shown. Food allergy can affect the overall picture of the disease, and it must be diagnosed and taken into account in this category of patients, taking into account the immunopathogenesis underlying the disease, as well as the features of the skin and mucous barrier.