Abstract
We investigated the allergic factors affecting wheezing before the age of first year and their relation to asthma at three years of age.
35 wheezing infants (recurrent episodes of afebril wheezing) underwent allergic testing before the age of first year (6.4±3.6 months old). Total serum IgE levels increased 43%. Allergen specific IgE levels elevated 49%. Eosinophyllia was noted 23%. Positive food challenge test (egg or milk) suggest food allergy was noted 49%. Only 26% had all negative. 91% of the infants had allergic family histories.
Evaluation of each factor according to relative risk suggest that the high allergen specific IgE levels, positive food challenge test, hospitalization because of severe wheezing and allergic family histories are asthmatic risk factors at three years of age.
