Immunological development in infants of allergic parents

Abstract

Serum immunoglobulins [Ig] were determined every 4 mo. from cord blood to age 2 yr in 92 [human] infants of allergic parents. By 7 mo. of age, the concentration of IgA was significantly greater in infants who developed atopic dermatitis than those who did not. The IgA was also significantly greater than in matched non-allergic controls. The difference continued to the end of the 2-yr study. No significant difference was found in the 3 groups for levels of IgG and IgM. These findings differ from previous results; possible explanations are presented.