ROLE OF FOOD ALLERGY IN SEROUS OTITIS-MEDIA

Background. The relationship between IgE-mediated hypersensitivity and recurrent serous otitis media has not been completely established. Ob jective. The purpose of the present study was to examine the prevalenc e of food allergy in patients with recurrent serous otitis media. Meth ods. A total of 104 unselected patients (age range 1.5 to 9 years, mea n 4.6 years) with recurrent serous otitis media were evaluated for foo d allergy by means of skin prick testing, specific IgE tests, and food challenge. Patients who were allergic to food(s) underwent an exclusi on diet of the specific offending food(s) for a period of 16 weeks. A non-double blinded food challenge was performed with the suspected off ending food(s). Their middle ear effusion was monitored and assessed b y tympanometry (Welch Allyn Model 23600) during the pre-elimination, e limination and challenge diet phases. Results. There was a significant statistical association, by chi-square analysis, between food allergy and recurrent serous otitis media in 81/104 patients (78%). The elimi nation diet led to a significant amelioration of serous otitis media i n 70/81 (86%) patients as assessed by clinical evaluation and tympanom etry. The challenge diet with the suspected offending food(s) provoked a recurrence of serous otitis media in 66/70 patients (94%). Conclusi ons. The possibility of food allergy should be considered in all pedia tric patients with recurrent serous otitis media and a diligent search for the putative food allergen made for proper diagnostic and therape utic intervention.