Evaluation of in utero sensitization by screening antigen-specific immunoglobulin E levels in umbilical cord blood

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of asthma and atopic reactions is increasing worldwide. Previous reports have suggested that maternal exposure to allergens during pregnancy may have potential effects on allergic sensitization in infants. AIM: To evaluate the effects of maternal exposure to environmental allergens during pregnancy on in-utero sensitization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred mothers and their infants were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. Mothers were given a questionnaire that had a series of questions to evaluate the maternal allergic status and environmental exposures during pregnancy. Plasma specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels to pets, grass, food (nuts) of all mothers and their infants were analyzed by an immune-enzymatic assay. RESULTS: There was no significant correlation between plasma specific IgE positivity in mothers, with regard to keeping indoor domestic pets, living in grass habitat, eating nuts in diet. A significant correlation was found between specific IgE presence in mothers and allergic reactions; however, there was no correlation between plasma specific IgE positivity of mothers and infants. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that prenatal maternal sensitivity to environmental allergens could not be evaluated as a predictive factor for in-utero sensitization.