Serum immunoglobulin A concentration in infancy, but not @entity1 milk immunoglobulin A, is associated with subsequent @entity1097 in XXXX and adolescents: a 20-year prospective follow-up study.

@entity1 @entity6132 @entity1097 @entity56 @entity1576 @entity291
BACKGROUND: Serum and secretory IgA concentrations have been suggested to be inversely associated with @entity56 in @entity1 . Furthermore, low maternal milk IgA concentration has been suggested to be associated with the development of @entity291 's @entity6132 . OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to explore whether the serum IgA concentrations in infancy and the IgA concentration of maternal milk predict @entity1097 in childhood and up to age 20 years. METHODS: A cohort of 200 unselected full-term newborns was prospectively followed up from birth to age 20 years with measurement of serum total IgA at ages 2 and 6 months. The mothers were encouraged to maintain exclusive breastfeeding for as long as possible. Total IgA concentration of maternal milk was measured at birth (colostrum, n=169) and at 2 (n=167) and 6 (n=119) months of lactation. The @entity1 were re-assessed at ages 5, 11 and 20 years for the occurrence of @entity56 , with skin prick testing and measurement of serum IgE. RESULTS: @entity1 and adolescents with @entity1576 and sensitization had a higher serum IgA concentration at age 2 months than the non-atopic subjects. Colostrum and breast milk IgA concentrations were not associated with the development of @entity56 in the recipient @entity1 . However, maternal milk IgA concentration at 6 months of lactation was inversely associated with elevated serum total IgE and positive skin prick test to tree pollen in the offspring at age 20 years. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increased serum IgA concentration at age 2 months is associated with the development of @entity56 and sensitization in childhood and adolescence. Maternal milk IgA concentrations are not associated with @entity56 in the recipient @entity1 . The present study provides novel information on the role of IgA in the development of @entity1576 and sensitization.
