Total IgE Levels in Healthy Children in Tehran, Iran

Determining the normal range of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) in any population is important for diagnosis of allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine normal values of IgE in children living in Tehran. Two-handed and fifty six healthy children aged one month to 14 years were selected. These children had neither parasitic infections nor atopic disease. They were divided into six groups and the total serum IgE levels were measured by ELISA methods. The references range of the IgE levels were 0.1-25, 0.8-162, 0.6-184, 3-221, 2.9-501 and 2-316 KU/L in age groups as follows: <3 month, 4-12 months, 1-3, 3-7, 7-10, and 10-14 years respectively. IgE levels were higher in boys but were not statistically significant except in 4-12-month olds (P<0.005). There was also an increase in IgE levels with age. Normal value of serum total IgE obtained in this study could be useful to contribute for diagnosis of allergic disease, as reference ranges in Iranian healthy children. Iran J Med Sci 2006; 31(3): 167-169.