Relationship between cord blood level of IgE specific for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and allergic manifestations in infancy

The relationship between the cord blood level of IgE specific for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp-IgE) and the development of allergic disorders in infants was investigated. None of the 10 infants who had no family history of allergic disorders and a cord blood Dp-IgE level of <0.07 IU/ml developed atopic dermatitis by 10 months of age. Among the infants whose mothers had atopy, those with a cord blood Dp-IgE level of > or =0.07 IU/ml showed a higher prevalence of allergic disorders at 3 years of age than those with a cord blood Dp-IgE level of <0.07 IU/ml. These observations suggest that the cord blood Dp-IgE level may be related to allergic manifestations in infancy.