Evaluation of total and specific IgE determinations in normal children and children suffering from asthmatic bronchitis with suspected allergic disease.

In young children with suspected allergic disease skin testing might to some extent be replaced by total and specific IgE determinations. Total IgE levels could be determined in these cases by the paper radioimmunosorbent test (PRIST) and be related to one's own reference values. Elevated total IgE levels have some predictive meaning for the occurrence of positive radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) in allergic disorders. Therefore, if total IgE and specific IgE determinations are performed routinely, the RAST panel applied should be minimized to three or four allergens and should be performed only when related to the clinical history. This will be exemplified with the sera of children suffering from asthmatic bronchitis with suspected allergic disease.