Abstract

The normal balance of the immune response begins early in life. Previous studies have proven the role of zinc in strengthening the inhibition of Th2 by Th1. Treg plays a role in maintaining balance of Th1 and Th2. The main purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with allergic symptoms in toddlers, including umbilical cord zinc, infant IgE and toddler zinc. Another objective was to determine the differences in the expression of Foxp3 and zinc at 3 years of age between groups based on medical history since birth. This study was a prospective study involving 53 participants. Subjects were observed from birth to the age of 3 years. Blood zinc levels were measured at birth and at 3 years of age. Total IgE was measured at 4 months of age and Foxp3 expression was measured at 3 years of age. The children medical history was taken from medical records, questionnaires and home visits. There was a correlation of low umbilical cord zinc levels <65 μg/dL with allergy symptoms (p = 0.034). There were no differences in Foxp3 expression and toddler zinc levels between groups according to health history factors from birth to 3 years of age (p>0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between umbilical cord zinc levels and blood zinc at 3 years of age (r = - 0.354, p = 0.009). In addition, the results show that there was a positive correlation between IgE levels and umbilical cord blood zinc levels (r = 0.282, p = 0.04). In conclusion, low umbilical cord zinc levels were associated with allergic symptoms in toddlers. There was no association between medical history factors in the first 3 years of life with Foxp3 Treg expression and zinc levels in toddlers. Higher levels of umbilical cord zinc tend to be followed by lower levels of zinc at 3 years of age.