Allergen levels in cord blood may be a more important factor associated with childhood allergies and asthma than environmental exposure , or non-exposure, to allergens say researchers according to a new study .
The study tracked 1,300 children born between 1989 and 1990 who had a sample of their cord blood serum taken at birth to measure IgE levels, which is an immune system response showing a sensitization to certain allergens.The children were assessed at ages 1, 2, 4 and 10 to determine if they had developed any allergies or asthma.Results show by age 4, one-fifth of the children became sensitized to allergens, and by age 10, more than a quarter of the children developed allergies. Children who had higher rates of allergy and asthma also had high antibodies to allergens in their umbilical cord blood at birth.
Thus researchers conclude saying that high antibody levels in umbilical cord blood may be an important predictor of childhood allergies at ages 4 and 10 and of asthma at age 10.
