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One hundred-eight infants from atopic families were admitted to the study. Each had at least one first-degree relative affected by asthma or rhinitis, conjunctivitis, eczema, cow's milk protein intolerance. All infants not breast fed were hypoallergenic formula. 46 infants were breast fed, 39 were bottle fed by the ordinary formula and 23 received the hypoallergenic one. No other food was introduced up to 6 months. Cow's milk proteins, egg, poultry and fish were introduced after 6 months. All infants were followed up to 24 months. Incidence of allergic diseases up to 24 months was not significantly different among the 3 groups.

Prick skin allergometry is actually accepted as the best test for the diagnosis of allergic disease, being reliable and not invasive. Nevertheless questions about it use in children have been put forward. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness and the reliability of prick and Rast tests for the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis due to food allergy. The correlations between Prick and Rast have been studied as well as their relation to the food challenge test. Prick and Rast tests results overlay in almost all cases, while in only 25% of cases there has been copositivity between Prick & Rast and the food challenge. This finding confirms that the pathogenetic mechanism involved in A.D. due to food allergy is not only IgE mediated, but it may also require alternative immunoreactions. Although the prick test is a simple, cheap and reliable method, the diagnosis of food allergy cannot rely solely on it. The diagnostic and therapeutic approach to food allergy borne A.D. is based upon elimination diet and food challenges.