Cord serum screening test and the newborns allergic status.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the predictive value of a cord serum screen test and possible subsequent development of allergic disease in infants.


METHODS
Cohort study.


METHODS
100 pregnant women were randomly recruited for the study.


METHODS
The maternal serum and the cord serum of their matched newborn were analyzed for total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), gamma interferon (g IFN), house dust mite- Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen (Der p1) and Blomia tropicalis allergen (Blo t5) using immunoassay methods. All infants were followed up for one year.


RESULTS
Infants who had allergic diseases in the one year follow-up (n=45) had significantly (P < 0.001) elevated IgE, Der p1, Blo t5, and significantly low g IFN levels in cord serum as compared to the same parameters of infants who did not develop allergic disease in the one year follow-up (n=43).


CONCLUSIONS
In utero exposure to HDM allergens Der p1 and Blot5 is prevalent. We have successfully established a cord serum screening test for predicting allergic diseases in infancy with 93% specificity and sensitivity.
Shah
Shilpa
S
Breach Candy Hospital Trust, 60A Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai 400 026, India. rescience_5@yahoo.co.in
Bapat
M
M
D000485:Allergens / Q000097:blood; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000097:blood; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy
D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; C094701:allergen Blo t 5; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C451162:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 1