Prospective association between food sensitization and food allergy: results of the LISA birth cohort study

Abstract

Background: Food allergy is common, especially in childhood, where 6-8% of children are affected. Identification of early and efficient markers for later development of food allergy is very important.

Objective: We examined the ability of repeated measurements of food sensitization in early childhood to predict doctor-diagnosed food allergy (DDFA) at the age of 6 years.

Methods: The analysis was based on data from a prospective birth cohort study. Information was collected by parental questionnaires, and blood samples were obtained at 2 and 6 years of age. Children with repeated determination of sensitization to food allergens at 2 and 6 years of age were categorized into the sensitization phenotypes: no, early onset, late onset and persistent sensitization. The association between sensitization phenotypes and DDFA was prospectively investigated using multiple logistic regression analyses.

Results: Of 3097 children recruited at birth, a complete follow-up of IgE measurements and questionnaires at 1.5, 2 and 6 years were available for 1082 children. Early food allergen sensitization (fx5) was a strong risk for DDFA at 6 years [odds ratio (OR)=4.7; 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 2.0-11.2] and for a new onset of DDFA at 6 years (OR=4.1; 95% CI 1.5-11.3). Additionally, persistent food allergen sensitization increased the risk of DDFA at 6 years (OR=6.1; 95% CI 2.7-13.7). Early sensitized children with a history of parental atopy showed the highest risk for DDFA at 6 years.

Conclusion: Food-sensitized children during the first 2 years of life, especially with a family history of atopy, might be considered as a susceptible subgroup that requires specific attention concerning the development of food allergy-related symptoms.