Predictors of Serum Total IgE in a Random Sample of 7-17 Year Old Children

Background. There is little knowledge of the causes for raised serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) in children. We investigated the association between perinatal, socioeconomic, demographic, clinical, paraclinical, and early life factors, and total serum IgE. Methods. In a random sample of 7-17 year old children, data on possible risk factors were collected using a questionnaire and total serum IgE was measured in venous blood. Airway responsiveness to inhaled histamine was measured and skin prick tests were performed using common aeroallergens. Data was analysed using linear regression. Results. Positive skin prick test (P < .001), airway hyperresponsiveness (P = .003), atopic dermatitis (P = .046), and parental predisposition to allergy (P = .047) showed a significant relation to serum total IgE levels. There was no association of smoking to serum total IgE. Conclusions. This study showed a strong positive relationship between markers of the atopic syndrome and serum total IgE levels in children. In contrast to some earlier studies, we did not find a significant relation between smoking status and IgE.