Maternal immune status against beta-lactoglobulin and cow milk allergy in the infant.

Beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) is probably the major cow milk antigen. Serum levels of anti-BLG antibodies were determined prospectively in mothers. The results were analyzed according to the existence of allergic manifestations in infants during the first months of life. Mothers of babies who developed allergy had statistically lower IgG anti-BLG concentrations than mothers of infants who presented no symptoms (P less than .001). Together with IgE umbilical cord blood screening, determine maternal IgG anti-BLG concentrations can more clearly define the allergic risk in the infant.