The relationship between cord blood immunoglobulin E levels and allergy-related outcomes in young adults.

BACKGROUND

Elevated cord blood IgE may be associated with a higher risk of allergic disease.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether cord blood IgE is associated with allergic biomarkers or allergic disorders in young adults.

METHODS

Data was collected from 670 subjects 18-21 years of age that were among 835 original participants in the Detroit Childhood Allergy Study, a general risk, population-based birth cohort. Cord blood IgE was assessed in relation to biomarkers associated with allergy and asthma including total IgE, allergen-specific IgE, blood eosinophilia, and spirometry. Cord blood IgE was also analyzed for associations to subsequent allergic disease including atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma.

RESULTS

Cord blood IgE, analyzed as a continuous measure, was modestly correlated with total IgE (r = 0.18, P < .001) and higher cord IgE was associated with a higher likelihood of sensitization to common allergens in young adults (OR = 1.18, 95% CI, 1.02-1.37; P = .031). The relationship between cord IgE and sensitization was stronger among teens with no pet exposure in the first year of life (OR = 1.43, 95% CI, 1.16-1.77; P = .001). No relationship was found between cord IgE and blood eosinophil counts or lung function. In addition, no consistent association of cord blood IgE to asthma, allergic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis was apparent.

CONCLUSIONS

An elevated cord blood IgE level modestly correlates with elevated total IgE and is associated with a slightly higher likelihood of allergic sensitization among young adults. However, cord IgE is not a strong predictor of clinical allergic disorders in this age group.