Introduction

The literature describes an association between a positive family history of allergic diseases and the incidence of allergies in children. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the family history of allergy on the incidence of hyper-sensitivity to food in infants exclusively breastfed up to 6 months of age.

Materials and methods

The study involved 106 infants exclusively breastfed up to 6 months of age, in whom due to atopic eczema and/ or symptoms of gastrointestinal tract allergy tests were conducted. The family history includes allergies with immediate family members, parents and siblings. All the patients were diagnosed for IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated food allergy. The statistical analysis was performed.

Results

In infants with positive allergy test results (n = 84), 34 patients (40.5%) were affected by the family history of allergic diseases. In the group with IgE-mediated sensitization, family history of allergic diseases affected 50.0%; in children with non-IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to food - 39.7%; in children with the mixed type - 42.9%. In the group of patients who did not show hypersensitivity to the allergens examined, family history of atopy affected 36.4% of infants. In our study, in infants exclusively breastfed up to 6 months of age there was no association between the prevalence of hypersensitivity to food and the family history of atopy.

Conclusion

On the basis of own research results and reports of other authors it can be assumed that genetic factors are not significant in the develop¬ment of non-IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to food in young children.