The predictive value of umbilical cord blood total IgE levels in allergic diseases

Allergic diseases in children have increased significantly. In recent years, it affects up to 35% of children. The current study aimed to investigate the value of the umbilical cord blood total IgE levels in the prediction of the development of allergic diseases during 8 years of follow-up. Methods - In cross-sectional study included 500 infants who were born in the obstetrics department at Tishreen and Al-Assad University Hospitals during the period 2007-2015. Questionnaires were administered after the birth included gender, gestational age, birth weight, mode and season of delivery, smoking during pregnancy, and family history of allergic diseases. Umbilical cord blood total IgE levels were measured. The infants were followed up for eight years for subsequent development of allergic disorders. Results - 214 (42.8%) of 500 newborns had high umbilical cord blood total IgE levels. We followed 143 of 214 newborns for 8 years; there was an allergic family history in 51.7% of newborns. During the following period, allergic diseases developed in 76.22% of the children with high umbilical cord blood total IgE levels. Allergic symptoms in children varied between nasal allergy (19.6%), skin allergy (eczema and urticarial) (25.2%), childhood asthma (31.5%). The rate of allergic symptoms development in the presence of two factors (family history and high umbilical cord blood total IgE) was 51.7%. Conclusion - We found a high prevalence of allergic diseases in children with high umbilical cord blood total IgE. The current study could be used as a preventative strategy to reduce the risk of allergic diseases by predictive of subsequent.