Associations between duration of breast-feeding, sensitization to hens' eggs and eczema infantum in one and two year old children at high risk of atopy

Through a cohort study, factors for the development of atopic disorders among children at highrisk of atopy were investigated by means of anamnesis, lifestyle factors and laboratory parameters. 475 high-risk children were selected out of the whole population of infants born within one year in the City and District of Leipzig. These 475 had an increased cord blood IgE (>0.9 kU71), double positive atopic family history (parents/siblings) or low birthweight (1500-2500 g). Questionnaires are answered regularly by the parents and the children are clinically examined annually. Results. In the first and second year of life there has been a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.0001) between increased cord blood IgE and increased total IgE. At the age of one year we found eczema infantum in 51 out of 323 high-risk children. There was a significant association (p = 0.0001) between sensitization against hens' eggs and eczema. Infants who had been exclusively breast-fed greater than or equal to 5 months were more frequently sensitized to hens' egg and an eczema infantum was to diagnose more frequently. Significant differences in this respect were found within the risk groups, depending on family history of atopy and cord blood IgE. The duration of breast-feeding showed no correlation with sensitization to hens' eggs or atopy in two-year-olds.