Prediction of allergy in infancy.
There is still no test that can predict allergy in infancy with 100% accuracy. For practical purposes, the best we can do is combine a carefully taken family history with a blood sample in early infancy, preferably during the first week of life, on which a sensitive IgE test is applied. If cord blood samples are used, contamination with maternal blood must be avoided as far as possible and samples with high IgE should be checked for possible contamination with maternal blood. Certainly, predictive tests are of no value unless there is a possibility of offering prophylactic measures that prevent or at least delay the onset of the symptoms of allergy. A search for ideal prophylactic measures and screening methods is in progress.
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden.
N I
NI
Kjellman
S
S
Croner
K
K
Fälth-Magnusson
H
H
Odelram
B
B
Björkstén
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007223:Infant; D012307:Risk Factors; D013548:Sweden
D007073:Immunoglobulin E