Cyclic vomiting syndrome and food allergy/intolerance in seven children: apossible association

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is characterized by repented unpredictable. explosive and unexplained bouts of vomiting. The episodes have a rapid onse t, persist over a number of hours or days, and are separated by symptom-fre e intervals. Despite the recent interest in this disorder, its aetiology, p athogenesis and even its target organ remain unknown. The purpose of this s tudy is to investigate the role played by food allergy in CVS, The report c oncerns eight children (five male, three female), mean age 8 years (3-13 ye ars), suffering from CVS for 2 years at least. The diagnosis of CVS was bas ed on characteristic history, normal physical examination and negative labo ratory, radiographic, neurological and endoscopic studies. Despite the abse nce of clinical signs typical of food allergy, skin prick tests were positi ve in six of the eight patients (75%). Specific IgE were present in 4/8 (50 %) of the patients. Skin tests and specific IgE were positive for cow's mil k proteins, egg white and soya. IgE levels were higher than the mean + 2SD in 5/8 (63%) of the patients. A double blind placebo controlled food challe nge (DBPCFC) was carried out on seven of the eight patients who displayed c linical improvement after an elimination diet for cow's milk (and other foo dstuffs indicated by positive skin tests). The DSPCFC was positive in all s even children. Clinical follow-up revealed a state of well-being over the 6 months of observation. Conclusion It appears reasonable to suggest that food allergy plays a role in cyclic vomiting syndrome.