Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 3, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

Serum IgE levels during the first 6 years of life

M Kulig1, U Tacke, J Forster

  • 1Institute of Medical Statistics and Information Technology, Free University, Berlin, Germany.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|April 6, 1999
PubMed

Insights

This study established total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) percentiles for German children. IgE levels increase with age, with higher levels observed in boys compared to girls.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Epidemiology
  • Biostatistics

Background:

  • Accurate reference ranges for total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) are crucial for diagnosing and managing allergic diseases.
  • Previous IgE percentile data may not accurately reflect current population values.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To derive population-based total serum IgE percentiles for white children in Germany.
  • To establish age- and sex-specific IgE reference ranges.

Main Methods:

  • Weighted analysis of total serum IgE measurements from 4082 white children in the German Multicenter Allergy Study cohort.
  • IgE levels were measured at multiple time points from birth to 6 years of age.
  • Data were weighted for sex, atopic family history, and cord blood IgE levels.

Main Results:

  • Total serum IgE levels demonstrated a statistically significant increase with age (P <.0001).
  • Boys exhibited significantly higher total IgE levels than girls across all measured ages (P <.05).
  • This sex difference in IgE levels was not significant within the subgroup of atopic children.

Conclusions:

  • The derived IgE percentiles for this large German cohort were lower than previously reported values.
  • Expressing total serum IgE values using percentiles is recommended for clinical, epidemiologic, and genetic studies.
  • These findings provide updated reference ranges for pediatric IgE assessment.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Application of Biochip Microfluidic Technology to Detect Serum Allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE)07:10

Application of Biochip Microfluidic Technology to Detect Serum Allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE)

Published on: April 21, 2019

Intranasal Immunization and Milk Collection in Studies of Maternal Immunization in New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)13:00

Intranasal Immunization and Milk Collection in Studies of Maternal Immunization in New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Published on: July 31, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Antibody Structure01:10

Antibody Structure

Overview
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...
Transcytosis of IgG01:15

Transcytosis of IgG

Transcytosis is the process in which molecules are internalized by endocytosis, transported across the cell, and released through exocytosis from the opposite end of the cell. Molecules such as insulin, immunoglobulins, and certain nutrients are transferred through the recycling endosomes by recycling and transcytosis.
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
Immunological Memory01:23

Immunological Memory

Immunological memory, a pivotal pillar of the adaptive immune system, is responsible for the body's ability to remember and respond more swiftly and effectively to previously encountered pathogens. This remarkable feature is what makes vaccines so effective in preventing diseases.
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature is...
Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
Jaundice01:25

Jaundice

Jaundice, or icterus, is the yellow discoloration of the skin, sclerae, and mucous membranes. It happens when plasma bilirubin levels rise above 2.5-3 mg/dL, leading to bilirubin deposition in tissue.Bilirubin is a byproduct of hemoglobin degradation. In macrophages, hemoglobin breaks down into globin and heme. Globin is converted into amino acids, while heme is turned into biliverdin by heme oxygenase, which is then reduced to unconjugated bilirubin by biliverdin reductase.Unconjugated...