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. Objective. The purpose of the present study was to examine the prevalence of food allergy in patients with recurrent serous otitis media. Methods. A total of 104 unselected patients (age range 1.5 to 9 years, mean 4.6 years) with recurrent serous otitis media were evaluated for food allergy by means of skin prick testing, specific IgE tests, and food challenge. Patients who were allergic to food(s) underwent an exclusion diet of the specific offending food(s) for a period of 16 weeks. A non-double blinded food challenge was performed with the suspected offending food(s)