Differences in total and allergen specific IgE during pregnancy compared with 1 month and 1 year post partum.
BACKGROUND
Pregnancy alters the function of many body systems, including the immune system. However, little is known regarding the effect of pregnancy on maternal IgE levels or atopy.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether pregnancy consistently influences serum levels of total or allergen specific IgE.


METHODS
Blood samples were obtained from 764 women during the third trimester of pregnancy and 1 month post partum. A third sample was obtained from 106 of these women 1 year post partum. Samples were analyzed for total and specific IgE to 8 regionally common allergens using a commercially available system. Sensitization was defined as an allergen specific IgE level of 0.35 kU of allergen per liter or higher to any allergen.


RESULTS
Total IgE increased significantly post partum, both at 1 month (40.36 vs 35.37 IU/mL intrapartum; P = .001) and at 1 year (44.97 vs 37.00 IU/mL intrapartum; P = .005). Allergen specific IgE decreased significantly at 1 month for cat, dog, ragweed, timothy grass, and egg (P = .001 to P = .02) but not for dust mite, cockroach, or Alternaria (P = .15 to P = .90). Similar patterns of change in total and specific IgE were seen at 1 year. However, on average, only 3.5% of participants changed sensitization status to the individual allergens studied during the 1 year of observation.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with intrapartum levels, total IgE levels increased significantly at 1 month and 1 year post partum. Conversely, at the same time points, IgE levels specific for common allergens significantly declined to most but not all allergens. Few women changed their sensitization status over 1 year.
Section of Allergy and Immunology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, 30912-3790, USA.
Lee M
LM
Perry
Dennis R
DR
Ownby
Ganesa R
GR
Wegienka
Edward L
EL
Peterson
Kimberly J
KJ
Woodcroft
Christine L
CL
Joseph
Christine C
CC
Johnson
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E