Epicutaneous Tests in Child Age

Overview

The authors evaluated the results of epicutaneous tests in 58 children during the period from 1996 to 2000. The group comprised 23 boys and 35 girls aged 6-18 years. The European standard set Trolab was used. Tests were made in selected patients with clinical suspicion of contact eczema or suspected participation of contact sensitization associated with another basic diagnosis. Twentythree children (39.7 %) reacted by an allergic reaction to at least one allergen of the Trolab set. In eight instances (13.8 %) an irritant reaction developed. Of 16 patients with the assumed diagnosis of eczema contactum a positive reaction to at least one allergen of the Trolab set was recorded in 13 children (Sl %). In the remaining 42 patients of the group the epicutaneous test was positive ohly in 10 instances (24 %). The assessed allergic contact reaction was monovalent in 14 patients, oligovalent in 9. The authors did not encounter a polyvalent reaction. Most frequently nickel caused sensitization in the investigated group (10 patients) but in the group of atopic children the most frequent sensitizing agent were alcoholes lanae (3 patients).

Key words:
epicutaneous tests - European standard set Trolab - contact sensitization