title: Factors associated with cord blood IgE levels.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The cord blood IgE level is thought to be a predictor of allergic disorders in childhood. It is not well understood how this marker is influenced by the fetal environment, such as maternal, paternal, placenta, and fetal characteristics.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to investigate the association between cord blood IgE levels and various genetic and environmental factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study including a total of 181 neonates and their mothers. A questionnaire asking about demographic data, delivery characteristics, maternal past medical history and information on exposure to known environmental allergens was distributed to pregnant women. Blood samples from them and neonatal cord blood samples were taken at the same time for IgE assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By univariate analysis we found an association between cord blood IgE levels and higher number of previous pregnancies, delivery season, type of delivery, history of allergy during pregnancy, but not the type of allergic disease and history of allergic disease before pregnancy, were associated with elevated cord blood IgElevels. The maternal blood level of IgE was correlated with its level in cord blood. By multivariate analysis, the number of previous pregnancies, the type and season of delivery and a history of allergy during pregnancy and maternal age and blood IgE levels were variables which had a significant association with cord blood IgE levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among the evaluated factors, the presence of any kind of allergic disorder in the mother or her family and elevated maternal blood IgE level are associated with the cord blood IgE of the child. Maternal age and smoking, neonatal gender, type of delivery, season of birth and parity are probable predictors.
authors.affiliation: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Hazrat Rasool Akram Hospital,Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nabavi
authors.forename: Raheb
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ghorbani
authors.forename: Amir Massod
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Asadi
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faranoush
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E