[How many newborn infants have an increased risk of atopic disease?].

Children of atopic parents as well as newborns with an increased cord blood IgE-level have a increased risk to develop atopic symptoms later in childhood under the influence of certain environmental factors. Out of 1203 newborns there were 3% with a biparental history of atopy and 9% with a cord blood IgE higher than 0.9 kU/l. Boys showed elevated cord blood IgE-concentrations more frequently than girls. There were no differences in IgE-levels between Turkish and German neonates. The effectiveness of preventive measures against atopic diseases should be studied in defined high risk groups, before a screening for atopy is considered.