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Total serum IgE and outcome in infants with recurrent wheezing

F Rusconi1, M F Patria, G U Cislaghi

  • 1Department of Paediatrics I, University of Milan, Via Commenda 9, 20122 Milan, Italy. franca.rusconi@unimi.it

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|June 23, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in early childhood do not predict persistent wheezing or allergic sensitization in children with frequent early wheezing. Early IgE measurements are not reliable indicators for predicting the long-term outcome in these cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Recurrent wheezing in infancy is common.
  • Predicting the persistence of wheezing and development of atopy is clinically important.
  • Early identification of children at risk for persistent allergic disease is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels measured at 0.5-3 years and 3-6 years of age.
  • To determine the predictive value of these IgE levels for allergic sensitization and persistent wheezing up to 8 years of age in infants with recurrent wheezing and no initial signs of allergy.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective follow-up study was conducted.
  • The study included 45 infants presenting with highly recurrent wheezing, absence of allergic symptoms, and negative skin tests at baseline.
  • Participants were monitored up to 8 years of age.

Main Results:

  • At the final follow-up year, 15 children continued to experience wheezing.
  • Allergic sensitization occurred in 9 children (5 previously wheeze-free, 4 with episodic wheezing).
  • No significant association was found between IgE z-scores at 0.5-3 years and the recurrence of wheezing or atopic sensitization. IgE z-scores at 3-6 years were higher in children with positive skin tests (p=0.013) but did not predict wheezing recurrence.

Conclusions:

  • In infants experiencing frequent early wheezing without initial signs of atopy, early total serum IgE measurements are not predictive of the long-term outcome.
  • The predictive value of early serum IgE for persistent wheezing and allergic sensitization in this specific cohort is limited.
  • Further research may be needed to identify more reliable biomarkers for predicting allergic outcomes in infants with recurrent wheezing.
Abstract

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