Serum IgE in newborns undergoing exchange transfusion.
Serum IgE was studied in a group of 20 newborns, ten males and ten females, with neonatal non-immunologic jaundice before and after exchange transfusion and in a control group without jaundice or other immunologic problems. Serum IgE was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (P less than .005). After exchange transfusion there was a further increase (P less than .005). These changes do not seem to be due to the IgE content of the transfused blood. It is suggested that neonatal jaundice and/or exchange transfusion may stimulate the IgE synthesis in the newborn.