Asia Pac Allergy.  2011 Jul;1(2):73-79. 10.5415/apallergy.2011.1.2.73.

The role of allergic risk and other factors that affect the occurrence of atopic dermatitis in the first 6 months of life

• Munasir Z
• Sastroasmoro S
• Djauzi S
• Waspadji S
• Ramelan W
• Aminullah
• Widowati R
• Harahap AR
• Endaryanto A
• Wahidiyat

• KMID: 2397165
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5415/apallergy.2011.1.2.73

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammation of the skin that often appears in early childhood. The manifestation is related to the tendency towards T helper 2 cytokine immune responses (interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5). Genetic factors are suggested to play important roles in AD, and it can be transmitted to newborns, increasing their risk of developing allergies.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the association between cord-blood cytokine levels (IL-5, interferon (IFN) γ), cord-blood total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level, perinatal environmental exposure, and the risks of allergy as well as the development of AD in the first 6 months of life.
METHODS
A 6-month cohort study with a nested case-control within was conducted on newborns in Jakarta from December 2008 until May 2009. After the umbilical cord blood samples were taken and stored, subjects were followed up monthly until 6 months old. The occurrence of AD and lifestyle or environmental exposures were recorded. The allergic risk was determined using a modified pediatric allergy immunology work groups scoring system based on allergic history (allergic rhinitis, asthma, AD) in the family. The levels of IL-5 and IFN-γ were measured using ELISA and total IgE by CAP system FEIA. Multivariate analysis was used to evaluate risk factors.
RESULTS
This study was conducted on 226 subjects. The incidence of AD was 16.4%; of those, 59% had low risk allergy, 38.5% moderate, and 2% high risk. AD mostly occurred at the age of 1 month (57%). Cord blood samples were examined in 37 subjects with AD and 51 without AD; of those, 25% showed high levels of total IgE (>1.2 IU/µL), and 51% showed normally-distributed high absorbance IL-5 values (≥0.0715, absolute value was undetected). The increased level of IL-5 was directly proportional to IgE. High absorbance IFN-γ values (≥0.0795, absolute value = 18.681 pg/µL) were observed in 52% of subjects.
CONCLUSION
The associations between the risk of allergy in the family, cord-blood total IgE, IL-5, IFN levels, and some perinatal environmental exposure with AD in the first 6 months of life have not been established.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; Risk factor of allergy; IgE; IL-5; IFN-γ; IL-4 genetic polymorphism

MeSH Terms

Allergy and Immunology
Asthma
Case-Control Studies
Cohort Studies
Dermatitis, Atopic*
Environmental Exposure
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Fetal Blood
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins
Incidence
Infant, Newborn
Inflammation
Interferons
Interleukin-5
Life Style
Multivariate Analysis
Rhinitis
Risk Factors
Skin
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins
Interferons
Interleukin-5

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Interleukin (IL)-5 distribution against high and low level of total immunoglobulin E (IgE).

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  Fig. 2 Interleukin (IL)-5 distribution against positive/negative atopic dermatitis (AD).

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