Cord blood levels of immunoglobulin G subclass antibodies to food and inhalant allergens in relation to maternal atopy and the development of atopic disease during the first 8 years of life

Background Factors that either protect from or enhance the development of a topic disease appear to be acting early in life. The gestational environmen t, including maternal immune responses, such as transplacentally transferre d immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies to allergens, may be of importance in th is respect, since allergen-specific immunity has been demonstrated to devel op in utero. Objective To evaluate the relation between cord blood IgG subclass antibodi es to allergens. maternal atopy and development of atopic disease in the ch ildren. Material and methods The study group comprised a cohort of 96 children part icipating in a prospective study up to 8 years of age. Cord blood IgG subcl ass antibodies to ovalbumin, P-lactoglobulin, Bet v 1 and cat dander were a nalysed by ELISA. Results The levels of all IgG subclass antibodies to ovalbumin and rBet v 1 were higher in newborn infants with an atopic mother, as compared with bab ies with nonatopic mothers. IgG1 antibody levels to cat and IgG4 antibody l evels to beta-lactoglobulin and cat were also higher in atopic than in nona topic mothers, whereas the other subclass antibody levels to those allergen s were similar. High levels of cord blood IgG antibodies to cat and birch, but not to the food allergens, were associated with less atopic symptoms in the children during the first 8 years of life. Moreover, children who deve loped IgE antibodies to cat had lower levels of IgG antibodies to that alle rgen at birth. Conclusions High levels of cord blood IgG subclass, especially IgG4, antibo dies to food and inhalant allergens are associated with maternal atopy. Hig h levels of IgG antibodies to inhalant, but not food, allergens are associa ted with less development of atopy in the children.