The reliability and reproducibility were compared with a radioimmunologic (Pharmacia low range RIA) and fluoroimmunologic technique (CAP RAST FEIA). The measurements just above the detection limit of the two methods correlated well (ICC 0.84-0.88). IgE-determinations in two laboratories (CAP RAST FEIA) presented a good correspondence on the assignment on the high risk group of atopy (IgE greater-than-or-equal-to 0.9 kU/l): 9 out of 196 sera (4.6%) were measured only in one of the laboratories above 0.9 kU/l IgE (ICC 0.88). The intra-assay variation went from 10-4% within the measuring range. On measurements over 26-39 days the inter-assay variation was 14%. After different storage of umbilical cord blood no significant changes of the results were determined. By means of IgA determination there proved to be indication on maternal contamination in 11 out of 323 sera (3.4%). There was no linear correlation between cord IgE and IgA levels. Most of all newborns examined were able to produce IgA on there own (mean 10.6-mu-g/ml IgA, n = 122).

The time of manifestation, severity and clinical course of atopic diseases are primarily determined by genetic factors. However, a number of environmental influences, like exposure to allergens and adjuvant trigger factors are modulating the clinical course. The risk for atopic disease can be predicted from cord blood IgE levels and the atopic family history of first degree relatives. Since no predictor is of sufficient sensitivity and specificity, there is a need for further predictors of atopy. Different prevention strategies, i.e. effect of early infant diet and maternal food avoidance during pregnancy or lactation are discussed.

The time of manifestation, severity and clinical course of atopic diseases are primarily determined by genetic factors. However, a number of environmental influences, like exposure to allergens and adjuvant trigger factors are modulating the clinical course. The risk for atopic disease can be predicted from cord blood IgE levels and the atopic family history of first degree relatives. Since no predictor is of sufficient sensitivity and specificity, there is a need for further predictors of atopy. Different prevention strategies, i.e. effect of early infant diet and maternal food avoidance during pregnancy or lactation are discussed.

Clinical & Experimental AllergyVolume 20, Issue s3 p. 21-26 Prediction of atopic disease in the newborn: methodological aspects* K. E. BERGMANN, K. E. BERGMANN Federal Health Office and Free University, Berlin, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorR. L. BERGMANN, R. L. BERGMANN Federal Health Office and Free University, Berlin, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorJ. SCHULZ, J. SCHULZ Federal Health Office and Free University, Berlin, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorT. GRAβ, T. GRAβ Federal Health Office and Free University, Berlin, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorU. WAHN, U. WAHN Federal Health Office and Free University, Berlin, GermanySearch for more papers by this author K. E. BERGMANN, K. E. BERGMANN Federal Health Office and Free University, Berlin, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorR. L. BERGMANN, R. L. BERGMANN Federal Health Office and Free University, Berlin, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorJ. SCHULZ, J. SCHULZ Federal Health Office and Free University, Berlin, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorT. GRAβ, T. GRAβ Federal Health Office and Free University, Berlin, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorU. WAHN, U. WAHN Federal Health Office and Free University, Berlin, GermanySearch for more papers by this author First published: September 1990 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2222.1990.tb02466.xCitations: 26 * Supported by a grant from the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. Bonn. AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL References 1 Blumenlhal, MN, Bernini, S. Immunogenetics of specific immune responses to allergens in twins and gamilies: In: DG Marsh, M Blumenthal, eds. Genetic and environmental factors in clinical allergy. Minneapolis : University of Minnesota Press, 1990: 53– 72. 2 Cookson, WOCM, Hopkin, JM. Dominant inheritance of immunoglobulin-E responsiveness. Lancet 1988; i: 86– 90. 3 Cookson, WOCM, Sharp, P, Faux, JA, Hopkin, JM. Linkage between immunoglobulin E responses underlying asthma and rhinitis and chromosome II g. Lancet 1989; i: 1292– 93. 4 Zeiger, RS, Heller, S, Mellon, M. Forsythe, AB, O'Connor, RD, Hamburger, R. Effect of combined maternal and infant food-allergen avoidance on development of atopy in early infancy: a randomized study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1989; 84: 72– 89. 5 Hattevig, G, Kjellman, B. Sigurs, N, Björkstén, B, Kjellman, N-IM. Effect of maternal avoidance of eggs, cow's milk and fish during lactation upon allergic manifestations in infants. 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Recent findings indicate a defective mitogenesis of cord Wood lymphocytes as demonstrated by stimulation with the monoclonal antibodies anti-CD 2/2a (alternative pathway) and anti-CD 3 (T-cetl-rezeptor-complex) (Gerli 89). In order to investigate the age dependency of this antibody induced transformation and a possible association with changes of lymphocyte subsets, blood was obtained from healthy subjects: cord Wood samples, 5 day old neonates, 4 month old infants, 2-4 year old children as well as adults (n=10 in each group). Lymphocytes were incubated for 96 h with optimal concentrations of anti CD-2/2a and anti-CD 3. In addition lymphocyte subsets CD 2 and CD 3 were determined by flow cytometry. Only cord Wood samples were found to have a significantly (p<0,001) reduced percentage of CD 2 and CD 3 positive lymphocytes, wheras from day 5 on percentages were within the range of adults. In contrast, proliferative responses of lymphocytes induced by anti-CD 2/2a and anti-CD 3 were significantly reduced in all pediatric groups (p<0,001) compare to adults. Within the pediatric groups there were no differences in lymphocyte responses. From our data we conclude that in infancy and early childhood there is a functional defect of lymphocytes detectable by stimulation with monoclonal antibodies, which is not related to differences in lymphocyte subsets.