Allergic diseases and asthma in relation to serum immunoglobulins and salivary immunoglobulin A in pre-school children: a follow-up community-based study

• Published in: Clinical and experimental allergy 2005-01, Vol.35 (1), p.64-69
• Main Authors: Lúðvíksson, B. R., Arason, G. J., Thorarensen, O., Árdal, B., Valdimarsson, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allergic diseases; allergy; asthma; Asthma - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Child, Preschool; children; Dermatitis, Atopic - immunology; Follow-Up Studies; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Humans; Hypersensitivity - blood; Immunoglobulin A - analysis; Immunoglobulin A - blood; Immunoglobulin E - blood; Immunoglobulin G - blood; immunoglobulins; Immunopathology; Infant, Newborn; Medical sciences; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal - immunology; Saliva - immunology; salivary IgA; Skin Tests; Statistics, Nonparametric; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0954-7894; 1365-2222
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2005.02141.x

Summary Background We have previously reported an association between low IgA and allergic manifestations in early childhood (0–2 years) and have now followed our cohort for an additional 2 years. Objective To evaluate in a longitudinal community‐based cohort study the association between maturation of Ig production and allergic manifestations in the first 4 years of life. Methods A cohort of 161 randomly selected children was followed from birth to the age of 42–48 months and evaluated at 18–23 months (EV1; n=179) and again at the age of 42–48 months (EV2; n=161). Diagnoses were made with the help of a clinical questionnaire, physical examination and skin prick tests (SPTs) to 10 common allergens. Serum immunoglobulins were measured at EV1 and EV2, and salivary IgA (sal‐IgA) at EV2. Results Serum IgA, IgE, IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 increased from 2 to 4 years of age (P