CZĘSTOŚĆ WYSTĘPOWANIA I PRZEBIEG KLINICZNY ALERGII POKARMOWEJ U DZIECI I MŁODZIEŻY Z KWAŚNYM REFLUKSEM ŻOŁĄDKOWO-PRZEŁYKOWYM.

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux is a frequent symptom of digestive tract diseases. The disease can be divided into primary reflux, which is due to antireflux mechanisms abnormalities, and secondary, in the course of other diseases (including allergy). The aim of study was to estimate the occurrence and clinical picture of food allergy in children and adolescents with acid gastroesophageal reflux. Material and methods: The study comprised 100 patients aged from 5 to 18 years with acid gastroesophageal reflux confirmed in 24-hour pH-metry. All patients underwent skin prick and atopy patch tests with food allergens (flour, cocoa, milk, egg white and yolk, apple, orange, celery, tomato). All patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the results of skin tests: group I - with allergy (n=30), group II - without allergy (n=70). Results: Food allergy was identified in 30 (30%) analyzed patients with acid gastroesophageal reflux. The most frequent sensilizing food was: celery - 12 (40%), orange - 9 (30%), cocoa - 9 (30%), milk - 8 (26.7%), egg white - 7 (23.3%) and egg yolk - 6 (20%). 10 patients (33.3%) were sensitized to one allergen, 9 patients (30%) - 2 allergens and 11 patients (36.7%) - on 3 or more allergens. Among children with allergy the most common was positive atopy patch test (24 analyzed - 80%), 13 patients (43.3%) had positive skin prick tests. 7 patients (23.3%) had positive atopy patch tests and skin prick tests. Patients from group I had more frequentlt skin changes, diarrhoea and vomiting and more rarely fetor ex ore than patients from group II; these differences were statistically significant. Familial allergy was statistically significantly more common in patients from group I than group II. Conclusions: Frequent occurrence and varied clinical manifestation of food allergy in children and adolescents with acid gastroesophageal reflux justify allergological diagnostics, in particular in familial allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]