Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E Antibodies in Wheezing Infants: The Risk for Asthma in Later Childhood

Abstract

When present in wheezing infants, specific IgE of >or=0.35 kU/L to wheat, egg white, or inhalant allergens are predictive of later childhood asthma. Consequently, detection of those specific IgE antibodies in wheezing infants may facilitate the early diagnosis of asthma, especially in cases with no clinically evident atopic manifestations.