The results of a controlled trial of hyposensitization with intradermal EPD (beta-glucuronidase and food antigens) in 40 children with the hyperkinetic syndrome are reported from the Universitatskinderklinik, Lindwurmstrasse, Munchen, Germany and The Allergy Unit, London, UK. The study was in 3 phases: the first consisted of the oligoantigenic diet; children who responded to the diet entered the reintroduction of foods, phase II; and those with food-induced hyperkinetic syndrome entered phase III, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of EPD, 3 intradermal doses at 2-monthly intervals. Of 20 patients who received the hyposensitization active treatment, 16 became tolerant toward provoking foods, compared with 4 of 20 who received placebo (p<0.001). The authors conclude that EPD permits children with food-induced hyperkinetic syndrome to eat foods that had previously been identified as responsible for their symptoms (especially chocolate, colorings, cow milk, egg, citrus, wheat, nuts and cheese). Food allergy is considered a possible mechanism of the hyperkinetic syndrome. [1]

COMMENT: Dr. Egger also reports a beneficial effect of the hypoallergenic diet in 12 children who suffered from enuresis in association with migraine and the hyperkinetic syndrome [2]. In an editorial Fitzwater D and Macknin ML [3] recommend additional studies before dietary therapy can be introduced as a standard therapy for enuresis. Given the hazards of pharmacological therapy and the practical disadvantages of the alarm system, Dr. Egger’s dietary and hyposensitization methods deserve attention. For reviews of previous articles on the hypoallergenic diet. [4]