title: Cord serum screening test and the newborns allergic status.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Breach Candy Hospital Trust, 60A Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai 400 026, India. rescience_5@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Shilpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bapat
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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