Neonatal sepsis and later development of atopy

The role of infections on the development of atopy is still widely debated. We aimed to evaluate the effects of neonatal severe sepsis and consequent antibiotic treatment on the development of atopy and allergic diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective enrollment at school age of children with a clear history of neonatal sepsis (NS) was performed from registers of neonatal intensive care units. A normal control was assigned to each patient with sepsis. Thirty six cases with sepsis (18 males, 18 females) and 36 controls (21 males, 15 females) were selected (8.5+/-3.6 yrs). Physical examination and lung function evaluation were performed. Atopic status was verified by blood eosinophil count, total IgE serum level and skin prick tests (SPT). RESULTS: SPT positivity for at least one allergen was present in 30% of subjects in both groups. No difference for all investigated parameters between groups and no influence by other factors such as familiarity or gender was observed. No correlation was associated to NS history. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal sepsis, even if clinically severe and dramatic, could represent an event too limited and really precocious in life to influence the development of immune response. Furthermore, other factors, besides infections, may influence the atopic future of newborns.