High Levels of Cord Serum Eosinophil Cationic Protein Predict the Risk of Atopy

Abstract

Background: Transient tachypnoea of the newborn is a transient respiratory disturbance characterized by tachypnoea shortly after birth, which resolves within 2 to 5 days. The basic pathogenetic mechanism is the delayed resorption of the alveolar fluid of which the exact triggering mechanism still remains unknown. An etiological link associated with parenteral history of atopy was proposed by several studies. Some laboratory studies also revealed that serum IgE, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and cord IgE were higher among infants with maternal history of atopy. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible association of parental history of atopy with cord blood ECP and IgE concentrations in infants with transient tachypnoea of the newborn. Methods: ECP and IgE levels were quantified in cord blood samples of 30 infants who were diagnosed as having transient tachypnoea of the newborn. The control group (N = 30) was selected among healthy newborns with similar birth weight and gestational age. Results: Cord blood ECP concentrations were significantly higher in the study group (17.6 µcg/L) than in healthy control subjects (7.89 µcg/L). In addition, transient tachypnoea of the newborn was more frequent in infants with a family history of atopic disease (p < 0.01). Cord blood IgE concentrations were also higher in the study group than the controls (4.1 versus 3.28 mg/L) but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Family history of atopy and elevated levels of cord blood ECP are risk factors for transient tachypnoea of the newborn. In addition cord blood ECP level is a useful marker for predicting the risk of atopy.

• Transient tachypnoea of the newborn
• Atopy
• IgE
• ECP