title: Immunoglobulin E and the eczema-asthma syndrome in early childhood.
abstract: 250 infants from atopic families were investigated to determine the relation between serum IgE concentrations and the development of atopic symptoms. In 44 (17.6%) atopy developed before the age of two years, 60 (24%) had doubtful symptoms, and 146 (58.4%) were clinically clear. Those who were definitely affected had higher serum IgE than those who were unaffected but 50% of them had serum IgE within the normal range. 9% of the clinically unaffected infants had raised serum IgE. Breast-feeding was in no way protective against either the development of atopy or an increase in IgE to abnormal levels.
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000235:genetics*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E