Differences were potentially attributable to differences in infant risk , prebiotic formulation or measurement of eczema .
There is insufficient evidence to determine the role of prebiotic supplementation of infant formula for prevention of allergic disease and food hypersensitivity .
Further trials are needed to determine whether this finding persists over a longer period of time , applies to other manifestations of allergic disease , is associated with reductions in allergen sensitisation , and is reproducible
BACKGROUND The composition of the intestinal microflora may be different in individuals with atopic eczema from those without this condition , and such differences may precede the development of eczema .
Prebiotics are nondigestible food components that benefit the host by selectively stimulating the growth or activity of non-pathogenic bacteria in the colon .
Prebiotics ( commonly oligosaccharides ) added to infant feeds have the potential to prevent sensitisation of infants to dietary allergens .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of prebiotics given to infants for the prevention of allergic disease or food hypersensitivity .
Prediction of allergy from family history and cord blood IgE levels. A follow-up at the age of 5 years. Cord blood IgE. IV.
Screening of total IgE in 1189 cord blood sample s was conducted by Phadebas IgE PRIST  in a one-year birth cohort 1983 - 1984 in Viborg , Denmark . 113 children with cord blood IgE levels > or = 0.5 kU/l and 138 children chosen at r and om among those with cord blood IgE levels < 0.5 kU/l were seen at a follow-up at 5 years of age . Based upon history and physical examination a diagnosis of definite atopy or no atopy was established . Allergy ( IgE mediated ) was defined as atopic disease combined with increased total IgE levels at 5 years of age . The cumulative prevalence of atopic disease was not influenced by cord blood IgE levels or atopic predisposition . Cord blood IgE levels had a low sensitivity as a predictor of atopic disease . A statistically significant correlation between serum levels of IgE at birth and at 5 years was however found ( p < 0.001 ) , and a significantly greater number of children with elevated cord blood IgE levels developed allergic disease before 5 years of age ( p < 0.01 ) . A cut-off limit of 0.3 kU/l was superior to the originally suggested limit of 0.5 kU/l . A total IgE level > 63 kU/l ( geometric mean + 1 SD ) at the age of 5 years can be regarded as being an elevated level . A cord blood IgE level > or = 0.3 kU/l in combination with atopic predisposition was predictive of allergic disease , especially allergic bronchial asthma . With regard to allergic disease , the positive predictive value was 26 % , the sensitivity 33 % and the rate ratio for development of allergic disease 4 . ( ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS
Differences were potentially attributable to differences in infant risk , prebiotic formulation or measurement of eczema .
There is insufficient evidence to determine the role of prebiotic supplementation of infant formula for prevention of allergic disease and food hypersensitivity .
Further trials are needed to determine whether this finding persists over a longer period of time , applies to other manifestations of allergic disease , is associated with reductions in allergen sensitisation , and is reproducible
BACKGROUND The composition of the intestinal microflora may be different in individuals with atopic eczema from those without this condition , and such differences may precede the development of eczema .
Prebiotics are nondigestible food components that benefit the host by selectively stimulating the growth or activity of non-pathogenic bacteria in the colon .
Prebiotics ( commonly oligosaccharides ) added to infant feeds have the potential to prevent sensitisation of infants to dietary allergens .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of prebiotics given to infants for the prevention of allergic disease or food hypersensitivity .