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Predictors of Serum Total IgE in a Random Sample of 7-17 Year Old Children
Sofie Strømgaard1, Simon Francis Thomsen, Mogens Fenger
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, 2400 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
Raised serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) in children is linked to atopic syndrome markers like positive skin prick tests and atopic dermatitis. Smoking showed no significant association with IgE levels in this study.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Clinical Immunology
- Atopic Diseases
Background:
- Limited understanding of factors contributing to elevated serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) in pediatric populations.
- Investigating a comprehensive range of factors including perinatal, socioeconomic, demographic, clinical, and early life influences on serum total IgE.
- Need for research to elucidate the etiology of raised IgE in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the associations between various factors and serum total IgE levels in children.
- To identify key risk factors for elevated IgE in a pediatric cohort.
- To clarify the relationship between atopic markers and IgE levels.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study utilizing a random sample of children aged 7-17 years.
- Data collection via questionnaire for risk factors and measurement of serum total IgE from venous blood.
- Assessment of airway responsiveness to histamine and performance of skin prick tests for common aeroallergens.
Main Results:
- Significant positive associations found between serum total IgE and positive skin prick tests (P < .001), airway hyperresponsiveness (P = .003), atopic dermatitis (P = .046), and parental allergy predisposition (P = .047).
- No statistically significant association was observed between smoking status and serum total IgE levels.
- These findings highlight the strong link between atopic syndrome indicators and elevated IgE.
Conclusions:
- Serum total IgE levels in children are strongly associated with markers of the atopic syndrome.
- Atopic dermatitis, positive allergy tests, and airway hyperresponsiveness are key correlates of elevated IgE.
- Contrary to some previous research, this study did not find a significant link between smoking and serum total IgE in children.
Abstract:
Background. There is little knowledge of the causes for raised serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) in children. We investigated the association between perinatal, socioeconomic, demographic, clinical, paraclinical, and early life factors, and total serum IgE. Methods. In a random sample of 7-17 year old children, data on possible risk factors were collected using a questionnaire and total serum IgE was measured in venous blood. Airway responsiveness to inhaled histamine was measured and skin prick tests were performed using common aeroallergens. Data was analysed using linear regression. Results. Positive skin prick test (P < .001), airway hyperresponsiveness (P = .003), atopic dermatitis (P = .046), and parental predisposition to allergy (P = .047) showed a significant relation to serum total IgE levels. There was no association of smoking to serum total IgE. Conclusions. This study showed a strong positive relationship between markers of the atopic syndrome and serum total IgE levels in children. In contrast to some earlier studies, we did not find a significant relation between smoking status and IgE.
