Abstract
Nagoya City has done screening of infants with eczema, wheezing and a family history of allergic diseases at 3 months' medical examinations in municipal health centers as a means of prevention. Twelve hospitals within the city perform blood test of total IgE, specific IgE (egg white, cow's milk and Dermatophagoides) and eosinophil counts, and offer guidance on living. We studied the results of the blood tests and replies to questionnaires in 249 infants (male 134, female 115, mean age month±S. D., 5.8±2.3, from 3 to 12 months), who were referred from health centers to Nagoya Johoku Municipal Hospital between January 1992 and January 1993. Egg white specific IgE in breast-fed infants was significantly higher than in infants fed mixed or cow's milk. This suggested the importance of sensitization (by egg white) through breast milk. It was concluded that mothers of children with a strong allergic predisposition should be given instructions about food and living environment, considering sensitization (by egg white) through breast milk and the emergence of allergic symptoms.
