Predictors of Cord blood IgE levels in Child: Preliminary Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Omega-3 PUFA Supplementation During Pregnancy.

RATIONAL:

The identification of factors to predict levels of IgE in cord blood might help in the early detection of atopic disorders. Objective: To identify predictors of levels of IgE in umbilical cord blood of newborns whose mothers were supplemented with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) during pregnancy.

METHODS:

Mothers were randomly assigned to receive daily supplement of 200 mg of DHA or placebo from week 18-22 until childbirth and IgE in umbilical cord blood (CB) samples were analyzed. Also an environmental exposure questionnaire was applied (n = 232) and specific IgE levels in maternal blood samples were determined. We ran logistic regression models to identify the main predictors of total CB IgE levels.

RESULTS:

The mother atopy (specific IgE) OR = 2.65 (95CI% 1.36, 5.13) and use of insecticide in home OR = 2.02 (95CI% 1.36, 5.13) were the most important predictors of IgE levels at limited detection of > = 0.1 IU/ml, being born in the spring vs summer and birth order were marginally associated (p = 0.08).CB IgE levels were not significantly related to supplementation groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

The main predictors of total CB IgE levels were mother atopy and use of insecticide at home.