A Prospective Study of the Clinical Manifestations of Atopic Disease in Infancy

ABSTRACT. We prospectively followed a group of infants with a family history of atopy, from birth for up to 20 months of age. All infants were seen every 4 months and a history, physical examination and skin tests obtained. Atopic dermatitis and rhinitis occurred in about half the infants at some time during the study, while wheezing occurred in about a quarter. Both atopic dermatitis and rhinitis were more common in the first 12 months whereas wheezing occurred later and increased in prevalence with age. Defining atopy by the presence of atopic dermatitis or positive skin tests, only immediate food reactions were significantly associated with atopic infants. In contrast, rhinitis, a single episode of wheezing, colic, vomiting and delayed food reactions were not associated with atopy and thus are unlikely to be due to IgE-related mechanisms during infancy.