RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Total serum IgE percentiles were derived for a population-based sample of 4082 white children from Germany by weighted analysis of measurements from the Multicenter Allergy Study cohort. METHODS: The children of a prospective birth cohort were selected from a complete 1-year sample of newborns in 6 obstetric departments in 1990. Total IgE was determined at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 years of age in 1160 newborns of the cohort. By weighting these measurements for sex, atopic family history, and elevated cord blood IgE, total serum IgE percentiles were estimated for the original population-based sample of 4082 children. RESULTS: IgE levels increased by age (P <.0001). We found statistically significant higher total IgE values in boys than in girls at each age (P <.05). Within the group of atopic children, this sex difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our estimates of total serum IgE levels for a large population-based sample were lower than most values previously reported. We suggest that for both clinical and epidemiologic and genetic studies, IgE values should be expressed with percentiles.
Assuntos
Envelhecimento/imunologia , Hipersensibilidade Imediata/imunologia , Imunoglobulina E/sangue , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Sangue Fetal/imunologia , Humanos , Hipersensibilidade Imediata/sangue , Hipersensibilidade Imediata/genética , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Estudos Multicêntricos como Assunto , Estudos Prospectivos , Curva ROC , Caracteres SexuaisRESUMO
The residual allergenic activity of protein hydrolysates contained in marketed "hypoallergenic" infant formulas can be determined both by in vivo methods (skin prick tests, provocation tests) and by in vitro methods (radioallergosorbent test, radioallergosorbent inhibition, crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis, basophil histamine release). In general, whey hydrolysates containing a high percentage of larger peptides have the highest capacity to induce positive skin test and provocation test results, and to bind to human serum IgE antibodies of cow milk-sensitive children. Casein hydrolysates appear to have very little residual allergenic activity. Before hypoallergenic formulas are prescribed for cow milk-sensitive children, individual testing (e.g., skin test, challenge tests) is recommended.