Maternal abstention from cow milk and egg in allergy risk pregnancies. Effect on antibody production in the mother and the newborn.

To study the possibility of intrauterine sensitization, 212 women were enrolled on a voluntary basis into a prospective, randomized study, comparing the effects of an elimination diet and normal food during late pregnancy. The diet group took no cow milk and no egg from week 28 to delivery, and extra calcium and casein hydrolysate (Nutramigen) supplement was given to fill the nutritional needs of mother and child. The control group took normal food, including approximately 1/2 liter of milk/day and 3-5 eggs/week. All families had a history of allergy in mother, father, or sibling. Maternal weight gain during pregnancy was significantly lower in the diet group. Birth weights showed no significant difference between the two main groups, but smokers in the elimination diet group had significantly smaller babies. IgE antibodies to cow milk and egg were significantly higher in atopic than in non-atopic women before the trial. The diet caused a significant fall in IgG-antibodies to cow milk and egg in both atopic and non-atopic subjects. Cord blood IgE determination revealed no significant difference between the groups. No IgE antibodies to cow milk or egg were detected in any of the cord sera. The participating babies are being followed up until 18 months of age.