| Can a basophil activation test of cord blood predict a cow's
milk allergy? |
Dilara Fatma Kocacık Uygun1 
, Durmuş Burgucu2
, Vedat Uygun3
, Gül Alkan Bülbül4
, Fulden Duyar2
, Cem Yaşar Sanhal4
, Ayşen Bingöl1
|
1Pediatric Allergy-Immunology Department, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
2Akdeniz Üniversitesi Teknokent Babylife Kordon Kanı Bankası, Antalya, Turkey
3Pediatric Heamatology Department, Istinye University School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey
4Division of Perinatology, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey |
Correspondence:
Dilara Fatma Kocacık Uygun, Email: dfkocacik@akdeniz.edu.tr
|
|
Received: 26 July 2025 • Revised: 21 October 2025 • Accepted: 11 November 2025 |
|
|
| Abstract |
Background
Food allergies affect 4%–6% of the pediatric
population and are often present within the first 2 years of
life. Cord blood cells and cytokines in high-risk infants can
predict allergic problems; however, their predictive value
remains unclear.
Purpose
This study aimed to determine whether a cow's
milk allergy in infants can be predicted using a basophil
activation test (BAT) of cord blood samples by stimulating
basophils with milk protein antigens (cow's milk and
casein).
Methods
We collected cord blood during the birth of
30 mother-child pairs and immediately analyzed BAT
stimulated with milk protein antigens. One year later, we
compared the results of those infants who developed an
allergy to those who did not.
Results
We found that infants with a casein-BAT value
≥2.6 were 33.2 times more likely than those with a casein-
BAT value <2.6 to develop food allergy symptoms within
the first year of life (P=0.03).
Conclusion
High casein-BAT values in cord blood may
predict the development of food allergies during the
first year of life. Although no association with cow's milk
sensitivity has been found, casein sensitivity may indicate
food allergy risk. However, further studies are required to
confirm this association. |
| Key Words:
Basophil activation test, Cord blood, Food allergy, Cow's milk allergy |
|
PDF Links
Download Citation
