The Value of Interferon-Gamma Estimation in the Cord Blood in the Prediction of Allergic Disorders

Abstract

In a trial to evaluate the role of cord blood IFN-y at birth as a predictor of allergy and its possible relations to other relevant parameters, 80 newborns-delivered consecutively in the Maternity Hospital of Ain Shams University, Cairo, were enrolled in this study. Mother-newborn pairs were clinically evaluated and then cord blood samples were tested for complete blood count, serum total IgE, serum IgD, and serum IFN-y. The infants were followed up for one year for subsequent development of allergic disorders. Twenty eight infants (35%) developed allergies, of those 19 (68%) had a positive family history of atopy. Skin allergies constituted 57% of the forms of atopy detected in our series. Cord serum IFN-y concentrations at birth were found to be significantly lower in infants who developed allergies (2.8 ± 2 pg/ml) as compared to those who did not develop allergic disorders during the first year of life (13.6 ± 6.1 pg/ml, p<0.05). Only 11 cord blood samples in our series (14%) contained detectable levels oflgE. However, the number of neonates with measurable cord blood IgE was significantly higher among infants who developed atopic diseases later. Cord blood IgD concentrations were below the detection limit (5 mg/L) of the method employed in all newborns. Basophils, eosinophil and total leucocytic counts were negatively correlated to cord blood IFN-y levels. Cord blood IFN- detectability at birth seemed higher than cord blood IgE detectability. Thus, it might be of value to evaluate cord blood IFN-y at birth in genetically high risk newborns.