Influence of genetic and environmental factors on the level of IgE at birth

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Abstract
The effect of hereditary and environmental factors on the level of IgE at birlh was assessed in 1319 unselected infants. Cord igE was measured using a new enzyme‐linked immunoassay. EIA Ultra® test. Information on family history of atopy and maternal smoking was obtained using a standard questionnaire. Data on length of gestation and birth weight were obtained from hospital records. Blood for maternal IgE was obtained from 1056 mothers within a week of delivery. Cord IgE levels were higher in infants with a history of atopy in the immediate family (p < 0.01). Male infants had a higher IgE than female (p < 0.01). Maternal IgE correlated positively with cord IgE (r = 0. 3, p < 0.001). There was no effect of length of gestation, birth weight, maternal smoking or month of birth on cord IgE values. It is concluded that the IgE level at birth is determined primarily by genetic factors. No significant effect of environmental factors was demonstrated in this study.