Development of IgE in newborn human infants

Abstract

Thirty-four maternal-neonatal pairs were skin tested with anti-IgE, and 18 of 34 babies were skin tested again with anti-IgE until they converted from negative to positive skin test reactions. Quantitation of serum IgE by a primary binding blocking technique was accomplished in 13 maternal-neonatal pairs and in some infants' sera during follow-up. Although human newborn skin will passively accept adult atopic serum and respond with a positive reaction to anti-IgE injections, there appears to be a delay (mean 21.7 days) before the baby's skin responds to anti-IgE with a positive wheal and flare reaction. The time of conversion from a negative to a positive skin test response was quite variable and bore no relationship to cord or follow-up serum IgE levels nor to atopic hereditary background. However, breastfed babies developed positive skin reactions to anti-IgE later than the group fed with cow's milk.