Abstract
In this minireview we present important data on umbilical cord blood IgE antibodies in neonates and total IgE as a predictive biomarker for the development of allergen sensitization and atopic diseases later in life. Discussions regarding the methods for determining total IgE in serum or plasma from cord blood samples are focused on the main immunoassays used in different studies and clinical practice. The fluorescence enzyme immunoassay with anti-IgE covalently coupled to a capsulated cellulose polymer solid-phase is nowadays currently used to measure total IgE in human serum or plasma. The umbilical cord blood total IgE levels are quantitatively determined by using its low range assay. Specific and practical aspects regarding cord blood sampling, including specimen collection from the umbilical cord vessels and careful preparation of serum and plasma, alongside with knowledge of the principles of the immune methods used are important to avoid preanalytical and analytical errors and for obtaining accurate results of this risk biomarker for allergy.
Highlights
The prevalence of allergic and atopic diseases has dramatically increased worldwide during the past decades with a significant healthcare and society burden [1,2]
The regulation of IgE production may begin in utero, and this may be reflected in the levels of umbilical cord blood (UCB) IgE
Significant studies indicated that raised UCB total IgE levels in serum may predict early atopic symptoms [43,44], while elevated UCB levels combined with high values in before two years of age may be associated with atopic dermatitis later in childhood [39,45]
Summary
The prevalence of allergic and atopic diseases has dramatically increased worldwide during the past decades with a significant healthcare and society burden [1,2]. Elevated UCB total IgE serum levels are considered a risk biomarker for the development of allergen sensitization and atopic manifestations in children. Several trials have reported this biomarker as ineffective in predicting the development of atopic diseases in the first two years of life [37,38,39,40], most studies revealed that elevated UCB total IgE levels have a role as biomarker for the future development of allergic diseases [12,15,19,20,24,41,42]. Significant studies indicated that raised UCB total IgE levels in serum may predict early atopic symptoms [43,44], while elevated UCB levels combined with high values in before two years of age may be associated with atopic dermatitis later in childhood [39,45]. A detailed family history of atopic diseases is important to be mentioned, because the combination of elevated UCB total IgE and positive family history of allergy is strongly associated with subsequent atopic manifestations [12]
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