title: Sensitization to food and inhalant allergens in relation to atopic diseases in early childhood: a birth cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A correct interpretation of sensitization to common allergens is critical in determining susceptibility to allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns of sensitization to food and inhalant allergens, and their relation to the development of atopic diseases in early childhood.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children aged 0 through 4 years from a birth cohort in the Prediction of Allergies in Taiwanese Children (PATCH) study were enrolled. Specific IgE antibody against food and inhalant allergens were measured and their association between total serum IgE levels and atopic diseases were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 182 children were regular followed up at clinics for a four-year follow-up period. The prevalence of food allergen sensitization increased markedly after 6 months of age, reaching up to 47% at 1.5 years of age and then declined significantly to 10% in parallel with a considerable increase in the prevalence of sensitization to inhalant allergens up to 25% at age 4. Food allergen sensitization appeared to be mainly associated with the elevation of serum total IgE levels before age 2. A combined sensitization to food and inhalant allergens had an additive effect on serum IgE levels after age 2, and was significantly associated with the risk of developing atopic diseases at age 4.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sensitization to food occurs early in life, in parallel with the rising prevalence of sensitization to inhalant allergens at older age. A combined sensitization to food and inhalant allergens not only has an additive increase in serum IgE antibody production but also increases the risk of developing allergic respiratory diseases in early childhood.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan; Community Medicine Research Centre, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan; Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chih-Yung
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.affiliation: Community Medicine Research Centre, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan; Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Lin
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan; Community Medicine Research Centre, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Han
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Community Medicine Research Centre, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan; Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Ling
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan; Community Medicine Research Centre, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Man-Chin
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.affiliation: Community Medicine Research Centre, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan; Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tsung-Chieh
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: Community Medicine Research Centre, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan; Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuo-Wei
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.affiliation: Community Medicine Research Centre, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan; Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jing-Long
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology*; D005502:Food; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E