It is not sufficient to predict ‘high allergic risk newborns’ on the basis of increased IgE concentrations of cord blood alone, because a raised cord blood IgE concentration is specific but not sensitive in the prediction of the development of allergic disorders. Warner et al. have reported that interferon gamma (IFN‐γ) production by allergen‐triggered cord blood cells is a predictor of atopic eczema, based on the 1‐year follow‐up study.

We examined whether IFN‐γ production by antigen‐stimulated cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) is a risk factor of allergic disorders, based on the 6‐year follow‐up study.

The relationships among cord blood IgE concentrations, IFN‐γ and interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) productions by antigen‐stimulated CBMCs, and the development of allergic disorders in 21 infants for 6 years were investigated.

Atopic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma developed in seven of 21 subjects. The maximal IFN‐γ concentration in culture supernatants of ovalbumin (OA) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) stimulated CBMCs in infants who developed allergic disorders was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than that in infants who did not develop any allergic disorders. In contrast, the maximal IL‐2 concentration in culture supernatants of OA‐ or BSA‐stimulated CBMCs in infants who developed allergic disorders was not lower than in infants who did not develop any allergic disorders. Moreover, the IFN‐γ concentrations were negatively correlated with cord blood IgE concentrations.

Reduced IFN‐γ production by antigen‐stimulated CBMCs is a risk factor of allergic disorders.