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Published on: April 21, 2019
Birth order and cord immunoglobulin E: results using a high-sensitivity immunoglobulin E protocol
Ganesa Wegienka1, Suzanne Havstad, Leo Shue
1Department of Biostatistics and Research Epidemiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Mich. 48202, USA. gwegien1@hfhs.org
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology
|November 16, 2007
Summary
This study found no link between birth order and cord blood immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, suggesting other factors influence allergic disease risk. Further research should explore alternative mechanisms beyond IgE.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Previous studies suggest a link between birth order and allergic disease risk, with mixed findings on cord blood immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels.
- This study investigated the relationship between birth order and cord blood IgE in a diverse birth cohort.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between birth order and cord blood IgE levels.
- To determine if birth order influences allergic disease risk through cord blood IgE.
Main Methods:
- Cord blood samples were collected from 733 infants.
- Total IgE levels were measured using a high-sensitivity assay.
- Birth order was analyzed as both a continuous and categorical variable.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between birth order and cord blood IgE levels.
- Geometric means of IgE levels did not differ significantly across birth orders (p = 0.51).
- Maternal and infant factors did not modify or confound the observed relationships.
Conclusions:
- Contrary to some prior research, this study found no association between cord blood IgE and birth order.
- Mechanisms other than cord blood IgE may explain the birth order effect on allergic disease risk.
- Categorizing continuous IgE data may lead to spurious significant findings.
