Differences in total and allergen specific IgE during pregnancy compared with 1 month and 1 year post partum

Lee M. Perry, Dennis R. Ownby, Ganesa R. Wegienka, Edward L. Peterson, Kimberly J. Woodcroft, Christine L. Joseph, Christine C. Johnson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy alters the function of many body systems, including the immune system. However, little is known regarding the effect of pregnancy on maternal IgE levels or atopy. Objective: To determine whether pregnancy consistently influences serum levels of total or allergen specific IgE. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 764 women during the third trimester of pregnancy and 1 month post partum. A third sample was obtained from 106 of these women 1 year post partum. Samples were analyzed for total and specific IgE to 8 regionally common allergens using a commercially available system. Sensitization was defined as an allergen specific IgE level of 0.35 kU of allergen per liter or higher to any allergen. Results: Total IgE increased significantly post partum, both at 1 month (40.36 vs 35.37 IU/mL intrapartum; P = .001) and at 1 year (44.97 vs 37.00 IU/mL intrapartum; P = .005). Allergen specific IgE decreased significantly at 1 month for cat, dog, ragweed, timothy grass, and egg (P = .001 to P = .02) but not for dust mite, cockroach, or Alternaria (P = .15 to P = .90). Similar patterns of change in total and specific IgE were seen at 1 year. However, on average, only 3.5% of participants changed sensitization status to the individual allergens studied during the 1 year of observation. Conclusions: Compared with intrapartum levels, total IgE levels increased significantly at 1 month and 1 year post partum. Conversely, at the same time points, IgE levels specific for common allergens significantly declined to most but not all allergens. Few women changed their sensitization status over 1 year.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)342-347
Number of pages6
JournalAnnals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Volume103
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2009
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Differences in total and allergen specific IgE during pregnancy compared with 1 month and 1 year post partum'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this