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Prediction of atopic disease in infancy by determination of immunological parameters: IgE, IgE‐ and IgG‐antibodies to food allergens, skin prick tests and T‐lymphocyte subsets
Author(s) -
Lilja G.,
Öman H.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
pediatric allergy and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.269
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1399-3038
pISSN - 0905-6157
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3038.1991.tb00173.x
Subject(s) - immunoglobulin e , medicine , immunology , atopic dermatitis , food allergy , allergy , antibody , atopy , ovalbumin , cord blood , food allergens , immune system
The possibility of predicting the development of atopic diseases up to 18 months of age, by using IgE, IgE‐ and IgG‐antibodies (Ab) to food allergens, skin prick tests (SPT) and T‐lymphocyte subsets, was prospectively studied in 163 infants with atopic heredity. IgE determinations in cord blood showed a positive allergy‐predictive value of only 21%, using an optimal cut‐off limit (? 0.9 kU/l). The corresponding figure for a weakly positive RAST (? 0.15 < 0.35 PRU/ml) to ovomucoid (OVO) or β‐lactoglobulin (BLG) at 6 months of age was 25% and for a positive RAST ? 0.35 PRU/ml 100%. The predictive value of positive SPT to ovalbumin (OA), OVO, BLG and whole cow's milk varied between 67 and 100% and for IgG‐Ab levels to the same food allergens the predictability did not exceed 30%. Total numbers of T cells (CD2, CD3) were higher (p < 0.05) at delivery among atopic infants, but neither in cord blood nor in blood samples, taken at 2 and 6 months of age, could absolute T‐cell subset numbers or the CD4/CD8 ratios predict atopic diseases in more than 45% of the cases. A low sensitivity was observed in most of the parameters studied. Thus, none of the tests used in the present study seems suitable for predicting the development of atopic diseases during early infancy.