Serum levels of immunoglobulin E and the subsequent risk of pre-eclampsia: a population-based study

Women with allergy may be at increased risk of developing preeclampsia. We assessed serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the first and second trimester, and changes in concentration between trimesters, in relation to risk of preeclampsia.

Population based case-control study within a cohort of 29,948 pregnant women. We included 154 preeclampsia cases with preterm delivery (before week 37) and 190 cases with delivery at term. As controls, 392 women without preeclampsia were randomly selected. Levels of IgE were in sera from the first and second trimester were measured and women who later developed preeclampsia were compared to controls with respect to IgE levels.

Comparing the highest to the lowest quartile of IgE in the first trimester, the odds ratio for preterm preeclampsia was 1.7 (95% CI, 0.9-3.1), and in the second trimester, the odds ratio was 1.5 (95% CI, 0.8-2.9) for the highest compared to the lowest quartile of IgE. Change in IgE between trimesters was not associated with preeclampsia risk.

There was a weak, however, not significant association between high levels of IgE in the first and second trimester and subsequent risk of preterm preeclampsia.