Prediction of atopy in the first year of life using cord blood IgE levels and family history.

ABSTRACT

We assessed correlations of total and specific cord-blood IgE (cIgE) levels with allergic symptoms in the first year of life. cIgE levels were determined by an immunoassay test in full-term neonates. This is a prospective study in which a questionnaire was used after birth, and at 6 and 12 months of age. We used multiple logistic regression models to assess the association between the family history of atopy and the incidence of allergy. The infants were divided into groups based on the cIgE level (Group 1<0.1 IU/ml, n=65; Group 2 0.1-0.5 IU/ml, n=63; Group 3 >0.5 IU/ml, n=45). We found the symptoms of atopy in 26 children in Group 1 (40%), 30 (47.6%) in Group 2, and 17 (37.7%) in Group 3; the percentage of atopic diseases was insignificantly different among the three groups. No association between a high total cIgE and specific cIgE with atopy family history and the outcome of atopic diseases was discovered. We conclude that neither total nor specific cIgE level with atopy family history can be used as an indicator to single out high risk infants.