High IgE levels in diabetic children without atopy or insulin allergy

The combined occurrence of atopy and diabetes of type I in childhood is extremely rare; this is explained in the literature by the different genetic backgrounds. In the present work, a study was made whether juvenile diabetes can be accompanied by symptom-free atopy. In 67 insulin-dependent diabetic children, the total and the specific IgE, and the IgG, IgA and IgM levels were determined, and cutaneous prick test was performed. In 23 of the examined children, the total IgE level proved to be higher than the age-related normal mean + 2 SD; the prick test revealed various degrees of positivity in 30% of these same children, with a complete lack of atopic symptoms. The total IgE levels were found to be elevated not only in the first year of the disease, but also in the following 5-10 years. The results indicate the existence of symptom-free atopy in insulin-dependent diabetes; additionally, the possibility of a genetically determined disturbance of IgE synthesis is suggested. Data are provided on the autoimmune pathogenesis of insulin-dependent diabetes.