Abstract
Cord blood IgE, IgE binding factor and neonatal blood IgE levels were determined in 555 newborns who were born during 1988 to 1991. Cord blood and IgE binding factor were measured by using enzyme linked immunoassay. Development of atopic diseases were observed through 1 to 3 years.
In the cases of non-atopic babies, cord blood IgE levels were below 0.5IU/ml in 98.5% cases. Cord blood IgE of non-atopic group ranged 0.04-0.26IU/ml in boys and 0.02-0.24IU/ml in girls. In the cases of atopic group, cord blood IgE ranged 0.15-0.90IU/ml in boys and 0.14-0.77IU/ml in girls and showed higher than non-atopic group.
In the group of positive family history and high cord blood IgE levels over than 0.5IU/ml, 70.3% cases developed atopic diseases in infancy. In the group of negative family history and low cord blood IgE levels, only 10.9% cases developed atopic diseases in infancy.
Combination of cord blood IgE level and family history appeared predictive for the development of atopic diseases in infancy.
