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[Evaluation of atopy risk factors during the first year of life. Multicentric study]
1Istituto di Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Modena, Italia.
Insights
Family history, not infant feeding or cord blood IgE, significantly correlates with early gastrointestinal symptoms in atopic infants. Predisposing factors are key drivers of these symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Allergology
- Immunology
Background:
- Atopy risk factors are crucial in understanding early infant symptoms.
- Gastrointestinal (GE) symptoms are common early indicators in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between atopy risk factors and early gastrointestinal symptoms in newborns.
- To assess the influence of feeding practices and genetic predisposition on atopy development.
Main Methods:
- Study involved 406 newborn babies during their first year of life.
- Allergen-specific IgE levels were assessed via Prick-test and RAST.
- Data collected on blood cord IgE, family history, feeding methods, and weaning age.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in blood cord IgE levels related to food allergy symptoms.
- Positive family history showed a stronger correlation with atopy development.
- Dietary regimen and feeding methods did not significantly impact GE symptom appearance; predisposing factors were more influential.
Conclusions:
- Family history is a more significant predictor of early gastrointestinal symptoms in infants than initial IgE levels or feeding practices.
- Genetic predisposition plays a more critical role in the manifestation of atopy than early diet alone.
- RAST technique proved more effective in identifying allergic responses in symptomatic children.
Abstract:
The AA studied 406 newborn babies during the 1st year of life in order to verify the correlation between atopy risk factors and the appearance of early symptoms, particularly gastroenteric (GE). The results obtained did not demonstrate a significant difference concerning the blood cord IgE level and subsequent appearance of food allergy symptoms, whereas positive familiarity showed a better correlation. No significant difference was observed between breast--or formula--fed infants, or between those weaned before or after the 5th month of life. The comparison of dietary regimen adopted during the 1st quarter in the asymptomatic and atopic children respectively, demonstrated that the presence of predisposing factors influences the appearance of GE symptoms much more than the diet in itself. An allergologic study, randomly performed by Prick-test in 156 cases and by RAST in 200 cases, showed a prevalent, positive response with RAST technique in symptomatic children.