Proliferative responses of cord blood lymphocytes (CBLs) to food antigens and cord blood IgE concentrations were measured in 37 full term newborn infants for the prediction of allergic disorders. In these 37 infants who were followed up for two years, allergic history of the family was found in four (sensitivity 57.1%) and cord blood IgE concentrations were greater than 0 5 IU/ml in three (sensitivity 42-9%) of seven infants who developed allergic disorders. When CBLs were stimulated twice by ovalbumin or bovine serum albumin, the value of the stimulation index in proliferative responses of CBLs to ovalbumin or bovine serum albumin was greater than 1-5 in six (sensitivity 85-7%) of seven infants who developed allergic disorders. The specificity of the responses of CBLs in the prediction of the development of allergic disorders was 93-3%. The proliferative responses of CBLs to food antigens were useful in the prediction of not only development of allergic disorders but also offending allergens. These observations provide further evidence that sensitisation is occurring in utero. This would appear to be increasingly important in the genesis of early atopic problems. As our follow up is only two years, in utero sensitisation is a prediction for the early development of atopic disease but only longer follow up will show whether this holds good for allergic disorders at any age. (Arch Dis Child 1992;67:1003-

Birth weight has been associated with a subsequent risk of breast cancer. The present study examined associations between birth weight and pregnancy estrogens and Afetoprotein (AFP). The concentrations of estradiol, estriol, and AFP were measured in maternal and umbilical cord blood samples from 194 women during pregnancy and at birth. Birth weight was significantly positively correlated with maternal serum estradiol and estriol levels in the 29th week (estradiol: r = 0.16, P = 0.03; estriol: r = 0.29, P = 0.001) and at delivery (estradiol: r = 0.20, P = 0.01; estriol: r = 0.41, P < 0.0001) after controlling for covariates. The umbilical cord estriol level was moderately but significantly correlated with birth weight (r = 0.15, P = 0.049). There was no significant association between umbilical cord serum estradiol and birth weight. There was no significant association between birth weight and maternal serum AFP in any gestational week. Umbilical cord AFP was significantly inversely correlated with birth weight (r = À0.16, P = 0.04). Umbilical cord AFP was unrelated to cord levels of estradiol and estriol. The data suggested a greater exposure to estriol and a lower exposure to AFP among high birth weight babies. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(8):1469 -72)

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy might have an effect on developing atopic eczema in offspring.

AbsractObjectives In utero exposure to high levels of endogenous estrogens has been hypothesized to increase breast cancer risk in later life. A high intake of soy has been suggested to protect against breast cancer. We examined the hypothesis that maternal soy intake may be inversely associated with pregnancy hormone levels. Methods The concentrations of hormones (estradiol, estriol, and testosterone) and isoflavones (genistein, deidzein, and equol) were measured in the maternal urine and serum, and umbilical cord blood of 194 women during pregnancy and at delivery. Soy intake during pregnancy was assessed by 5-day diet records at approximately the 29th week of pregnancy. Results High correlations were observed for isoflavone levels between maternal samples and umbilical cord blood, indicating that isoflavone can be transferred from the maternal to the fetal compartment. None of the hormones measured in umbilical cord blood was significantly associated with any of the isoflavones measured. There were a few significant associations between maternal hormone levels and isoflavone measures during pregnancy, but their patterns of asso-

High levels of estrogen during pregnancy have been hypothesized to increase the risk of breast cancer in offspring. Some studies have reported a positive association of estrogen level during pregnancy with fetal size, which has been linked to the subsequent risk of breast cancer in offspring. We examined whether maternal diet, including fat and alcohol intake, was associated with hormone levels during pregnancy, as well as with birth weight. The concentrations of estradiol, estriol, and testosterone were measured in the maternal serum and umbilical cord blood of 189 women during pregnancy and at delivery. Intakes of fat, alcohol, and other nutrients were assessed by 5-day diet records at approximately the 29th week of pregnancy before blood sampling. Intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids was moderately but significantly positively correlated with the umbilical cord estriol level (r = 0.17, P = 0.03) after controlling for covariates. The positive association between intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids and birth weight was of borderline significance (r = 0.14, P = 0.06). Intake of long-chain n-3 fatty acids was significantly inversely correlated with the umbilical cord estradiol and testosterone levels (r = -0. I ntrauterine and perinatal exposure to high levels of estrogen is hypothesized to increase the risk of breast cancer in offspring.(1) Several studies, (2)(3)(4) have reported positive associations of estrogen levels during pregnancy with fetal size, which has been linked to the subsequent risk of breast cancer in offspring.(5-7)Certain dietary components during pregnancy may affect estrogen levels during pregnancy. Hilakivi-Clarke et al. proposed that maternal intake of a high-fat diet is a source for high estrogen levels during pregnancy and increases breast cancer risk among the female offspring.(8) Their animal studies showed that a high maternal consumption of corn oil, consisting mainly of linoleic acid (n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid), increases both circulating estradiol levels during pregnancy and the risk of developing carcinogen-induced mammary tumors among the female rat offspring.(8) This risk may also occur in humans. Dietary fat has been implicated in the etiology of breast cancer.(9) However, data are inconsistent. The majority of prospective cohort studies among postmenopausal women have failed to find a significant positive association between intake of total fat or specific types of fat and breast cancer risk, (10) but some recent studies have supported a positive association of animal fat or saturated fat with breast cancer risk. (11,12) There is speculation that a high-fat diet increases breast cancer risk if consumed during the periods in which the mammary gland is sensitive to endogenous estrogens, such as during the fetal period. (13) In the present study, we examined the association between maternal fat intake and maternal and umbilical cord hormone levels during pregnancy and at birth. We also assessed the direct association between fat intake and birth weight, which has been ass...