title: The effect of prenatal exposure on total IgE at birth and sensitization at twelve months and four years of age: The PIAMA study.
abstract: There is increasing evidence that the development of the fetal immune system can be influenced by environmental exposure in utero. We investigated whether prenatal exposure is associated with a high neonatal total IgE level and sensitization at the age of 1 and 4 yr. Data from 1027 infants were collected in a Dutch birth cohort study (PIAMA study). Total IgE was measured in heel prick blood collected in the first week of life. Sensitization was defined as a specific IgE level in serum of > or =0.35 IU/ml against house dust mite, cat, dog, milk or egg. Logistic regression analysis was performed to study independent relationships between risk factors and a high neonatal total IgE (> or =0.50 IU/ml) or sensitization. A high neonatal total IgE was found in 12.2% of boys and 6.2% of girls. A dog at home during pregnancy was negatively associated with a high neonatal total IgE [odds ratio (95% CI) 0.5 (0.2-1.0)]. A cat at home [OR 0.6 (0.4-1.0) and maternal smoking (OR 0.4 (0.2-1.0)] were negatively associated with sensitization at 12 months, but not at 4 yr. The presence of older siblings, season of birth, birth weight, mode of delivery, gestational age and maternal age were not associated with a high neonatal total IgE or sensitization. The higher total IgE level and prevalence of sensitization at 4 yr in boys compared with girls was only present in children from allergic mothers. Our results suggest a short-lasting protective effect of prenatal exposure to pets on total IgE at birth and early sensitization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. m.kerkhof@med.rug.nl
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kerkhof
authors.forename: Alet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wijga
authors.forename: Henriëtte A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: Johan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: de Jongste
authors.forename: Rob C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Aalberse
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brunekreef
authors.forename: Jorrit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gerritsen
authors.forename: Dirkje S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Postma
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000276:immunology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
chemical_list: D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D007073:Immunoglobulin E