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. 2014 Jul 17;9(7):e102809.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102809. eCollection 2014.

Sensitization to food and inhalant allergens in relation to atopic diseases in early childhood: a birth cohort study

Chih-Yung Chiu  1 , Yu-Lin Huang  2 , Ming-Han Tsai  3 , Yu-Ling Tu  2 , Man-Chin Hua  3 , Tsung-Chieh Yao  2 , Kuo-Wei Yeh  2 , Jing-Long Huang  2
Affiliations

Sensitization to food and inhalant allergens in relation to atopic diseases in early childhood: a birth cohort study

Chih-Yung Chiu et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objectives: A correct interpretation of sensitization to common allergens is critical in determining susceptibility to allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns of sensitization to food and inhalant allergens, and their relation to the development of atopic diseases in early childhood.

Methods: Children aged 0 through 4 years from a birth cohort in the Prediction of Allergies in Taiwanese Children (PATCH) study were enrolled. Specific IgE antibody against food and inhalant allergens were measured and their association between total serum IgE levels and atopic diseases were assessed.

Results: A total of 182 children were regular followed up at clinics for a four-year follow-up period. The prevalence of food allergen sensitization increased markedly after 6 months of age, reaching up to 47% at 1.5 years of age and then declined significantly to 10% in parallel with a considerable increase in the prevalence of sensitization to inhalant allergens up to 25% at age 4. Food allergen sensitization appeared to be mainly associated with the elevation of serum total IgE levels before age 2. A combined sensitization to food and inhalant allergens had an additive effect on serum IgE levels after age 2, and was significantly associated with the risk of developing atopic diseases at age 4.

Conclusions: Sensitization to food occurs early in life, in parallel with the rising prevalence of sensitization to inhalant allergens at older age. A combined sensitization to food and inhalant allergens not only has an additive increase in serum IgE antibody production but also increases the risk of developing allergic respiratory diseases in early childhood.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Schematic presentation of the recruitment process of the study subjects.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Sensitization patterns to food and inhalant allergens from age 0 to age 4.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Changes of total serum IgE levels in children with sensitization to food and inhalant allergens at different years of age.
Data shown are mean ± SEM. P values refer to the comparisons indicated by the marker. *P<0.05.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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