[Heredity and prevention of atopy]

Although clinical studies have been supplying strong arguments in favour of a hereditary transmission of atopy for a long time, the latest works have not made it possible yet to specify the biologic support of this heredity. An obvious correlation, especially, has not been demonstrated between, on the one hand, atopic ground and HLA group and, on the other hand, between a high production of total IgE and HLA group. At present, the production of specific IgE only seems to be really subordinated to the HLA system; it is likely to be the expression of complex immunological disorders of a genetic determinism. Various environmental factors will contribute, on this predisposed ground, to the disclosure or to the worsening of the atopy. Some prevention of atopy may be undertaken. Extended breast feeding, eviction of some environmental nuisance and family affective balance thus represent useful preventive measures. The influence of the date of conception and of the pregnancy and delivery conditions does not appear to be insignificant; but, there, the prevention is more difficult to set up. Finally, the counting of the IgE in the cord blood could lead to the detection of high-risk newborns.