Clinical and Immunological Characterization of Children with and without Immediate Symptoms after Ingestion of Soy in Santiago De Cuba

Background: The increasing incidence and prevalence of soy allergy in children in other regions is a health problem. In Santiago de Cuba we have not studied the clinical and immunological characteristics in children with symptoms after ingestion of soy. Objective: To characterize the clinical and immunological response of children with and without immediate symptoms after ingestion of soy. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in the period from July to December 2006. 20 children attending the Allergy Service at Children's Hospital South, which reported immediate symptoms related to soy intake (group were selected study) and 20 children with other allergic diseases (control group). All included underwent skin prick test the skin, using the allergenic soybean extract standardized to 100 UNP, prepared in the Calixto Garcia Hospital in Havana and open oral challenge test with that food. Results: The soy extract provoked a mean size greater than 4 mm wheal in the study group and all patients in the study group showed a positive skin test with statistically significant differences (t-test, p greater 0.05) with respect to oral challenge test and cause and effect Soy intake was widespread prevalence in our study group (t-test, p greater 0.05). The most frequent clinical manifestations in the challenge test were urticaria and edema (70% of patients in the study group). Conclusions: Patients in the study group there is obviously an allergic sensitization to soy.