Serum IgE levels during the first 6 years of life

Objective: Total serum IgE percentiles were derived for a population-based sample of 4082 white children from Germany by weighted analysis of measurem ents from the Multicenter Allergy Study cohort. Methods: The children of a prospective birth cohort were selected from a co mplete 1-year sample of newborns in 6 obstetric departments in 1990. Total IgE was determined at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 years of age in 1160 newborns of th e cohort. By weighting these measurements for sex, atopic family history, a nd elevated cord blood IgE, total serum IgE percentiles were estimated for the original population-based sample of 4082 children. Results: IgE levels increased by age (P < .0001). Pie found statistically s ignificant higher total IgE values in boys than in girls at each age (P < . 05). Within the group of atopic children, this sex difference was not stati stically significant. Conclusion: Our estimates of total serum IgE levels for a large population- based sample were lower than most values previously reported. We suggest th at for both clinical and epidemiologic and genetic studies, IgE values shou ld be expressed with percentiles.