Abstract
Rice allergy has been reported, but not adequately documented. An infant had flushing, vomiting and diarrhea after his first and 6 subsequent rice feedings from 2 to 15 months of age. In addition, ingestion of rice or soy during his first 6 months induced lethargy, unresponsiveness and EEG abnormalities. RAST and P-K testing documented IgE antibody to rice, but not to soy. Rice fluorescent antibody spot tests for anti-rice antibody were positive for IgE, but negative for IgG, A & M. Precipitation and passive hemagglutination antibody studies were negative for rice and soy. Early in the course serum complement (C) was depressed both before and after rice challenge. CH50, C3, C4 and Factor B levels remained low for 2 months and did not rise to normal until rice and soy were eliminated from diet at 6 months of age. Rice ingestion at 13 months of age was followed by flushing, vomiting and diarrhea and was associated with increases of serum histamine of 140% at one hour and 70% at eight hours after challenge. There was no associated CNS reaction or C depression with this challenge. The CNS reactions and C depression prior to six months of age may have been due to rice allergy combined with gut and/or CNS immaturity. Rice allergy was demonstrated by specific IgE and GI reactions to rice even after C returned to normal. This case documents true rice allergy in which C depression and CNS reaction accompanied the CI reaction.
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Strunk, R., Pinnas, J., John, T. et al. RICE ALLERGY WITH CNS REACTIONS AND SERUM COMPLEMENT DEPRESSION. Pediatr Res 11, 495 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00752
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00752