Study on the safety of early introduction of small quantities of egg for egg-sensitized infants

Abstract

Background: There is little evidence on the methods of intake management for infants who are sensitized to hen's egg (HE). We prospectively analyzed the safety of early introducing small quantities of HE and ingestion at home in infants.

Methods: An oral food challenge (1st OFC) with 0.2 g of HE was administered to 6-month-old infants who were egg-sensitized at the time. Those with negative 1st OFC results began ingesting 0.2 g of HE at home. A 2nd OFC using one quarter of egg white was administered at 9-11 months of age. We evaluated the OFC results and the safety of ingesting HE at home.

Results: Fifteen of 63 infants (23.8%) had positive 1st OFC results. Among the 48 negative cases, 42 ingested HE at home; 1 was lost to follow-up. Acute skin symptoms developed in 8 of 41 cases (19.5%). Four of 41 cases (9.8%) had positive 2nd OFC results. Ovomucoid-specific IgE levels were higher in OFC-positive cases.

Conclusions: A high proportion of egg-sensitized infants had positive 1st OFC results. Acute symptoms after HE ingestion at home occurred in several cases with negative 1st OFC results. Further studies are needed to identify safer and more practicable HE intake management methods.