Are maternal psychosocial factors associated with cord immunoglobulin E in addition to family atopic history and mother immunoglobulin E?
Journal
Clinical and Experimental Allergy
Journal Volume
34
Journal Issue
4
Pages
548-554
Date Issued
2004
Author(s)
Abstract
Background: Atopy in maternal and family histories is known to be a risk factor for elevated umbilical cord immunoglobulin E (cIgE). However, the association between cIgE and psychosocial factors remains under investigation. Objective: To explore whether psychosocial factors in addition to atopy contribute to elevated cIgE. Methods: Four private maternity hospitals fitting the quantile levels of SO2 in 2000 cooperated with us by recruiting participants for this study: pairs of mothers and neonates living within 3-km catchment areas of air-monitoring stations. We used a questionnaire to collect exposure data, and the Pharmacia UniCap IgE assay test system to determine the levels of IgE in gravidas and cord blood. Results: Between July 2001 and March 2003, 334 mother and neonate pairs participated in this study. The frequencies of sensitization, serum IgE (sIgE) > 100 IU/mL, or cIgE ≥ 0.35 IU/mL were not different between the four different hospitals. By multi-variate logistic regression analysis adjusted for environmental factors, genetic factors, and psychosocial factors, the risk factors for elevated cIgE were being a male neonate (odds ratio (OR) = 3.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.5, 8.5]), carpets at home (OR = 3.0, 95% CI = [1.02, 8.4]), maternal allergy to dog dander (OR = 9.7, 95% CI = [1.2, 98.8], maternal total serum IgE > 100 IU/mL (OR = 5.1, 95% CI = [2.2, 12.8]), maternal regularly/mostly/often self-reported nervousness (OR = 4.0, 95% CI = [1.3, 12.8]), family income $11 574-17 361/year (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = [1.3, 11.5]), incense burning (OR = 4.0, 95% CI = [1.4, 13.3]), and atopy in maternal grandparents (OR = 4.8, 95% CI = [1.7, 14.0]). By principle component analysis and logistic regression, psychosocial stress (β ± standard error = 0.26 ± 0.13, P = 0.04) was associated with increased cIgE. Conclusion: Psychosocial factors are potentially important risk factors for elevated cIgE.
SDGs
Type
journal article