Development of atopic disease from birth to adolescence : Relation to family history and cord blood IgE

Abstract: In a cohort of 1701 consecutively born children, 32.5% developed obvious atopic disease up to 11 yr. The predictive capacity of cord blood IgE and a family history (FH) of atopic disease have been studied. Questionnaire (Q) data at 1.5, 7 and 11 yr showed a prevalence of obvious atopic disease of 4.5, 11.5 and 23.7 % respectively. The prevalence of asthma was 0.5, 2.4 and 3.0 %, a slight increase in comparison with figures from the 50's. A high cord blood IgE (~ 0.9 kUJI), identified most children with early, multiple and continuous symptoms as well as an earlier asthma start. The capacity of cord blood IgE to predict the severity of asthma and the IgE levels at 11 yr was low. The sensitivity of the test to detect atopic disease decreased from 77 % at 1.5 yr to 26 % at 11 yr. The sensitivity for obvious allergy of a FH was 49 % at 1.5 yr and 45 % at 11 yr. The specificity of cord blood IgE was 94 % at 11 yr and of the FH 74 %. Cord blood IgE determination alone can not, without modifications, be recommended as a general screening method for atopy.Children with high cord blood IgE, born during peak pollen exposure seem to be at special risk to develop atopic disease. Sensitization to timothy was more common among children born in May as compared to November. The reliability of the Q used at 7 and 11 yr was evaluated by examination of 133 randomly selected children at 11 yr. The Q was found adequate for establishing the prevalence but less so for the cumulative incidence of atopic disease since parents tend to forget symptoms (25%) that their children had some years earlier.The natural history of asthma (AB) was studied in all 89 children and adolescents reporting symptoms of asthma. Fifty-nine were available for clinical examination at 11.5-14.5 yr. AB was found more often in children born during August-October. Inadequate medication, undiagnosed chest deformity and wheezing at examination was found in several children emphasizing the need for more regular control of adolescents having AB. Animal danders and pollens were the most common offending allergens. Sensitivity to mites was more common compared to earlier Swedish studies. A "total asthma score" including both days with impact of AB during last year and present medication was found useful for classification of these children with AB.