Selective IgA deficiency in children in Israel

J Clin Immunol. 2010 Sep;30(5):761-5. doi: 10.1007/s10875-010-9438-x. Epub 2010 Jun 23.

Abstract

IgA deficiency is the most common human primary immune-deficiency. We evaluated the clinical and immunological characteristics of selective IgA deficiency in children in Israel. The study group included 63 children diagnosed with IgA deficiency from 1987 to 2005. Mean follow-up time per child was 10.6 years. Average age at diagnosis was 10.5 years. In one child, the IgA deficiency was transient. Infectious diseases, mainly recurrent pneumonia and ear infection, were common and occurred in 25 patients (39.7%). Allergic diseases were documented in 20 (31.7%) of our patients. Thirteen children (20.6%) had autoimmune diseases. Malignancies were diagnosed in three children (4.8%), an association that has not been reported in previous series. IgA deficiency appears to be a risk factor for infections, allergic diseases, autoimmune conditions, and malignancy.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Asthma / complications
  • Asthma / epidemiology
  • Asthma / immunology*
  • Child
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / immunology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • IgA Deficiency / complications
  • IgA Deficiency / epidemiology
  • IgA Deficiency / immunology*
  • Israel
  • Male
  • Otitis Media / complications
  • Otitis Media / epidemiology
  • Otitis Media / immunology*
  • Pneumonia / complications
  • Pneumonia / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia / immunology*
  • Prevalence
  • Recurrence
  • Risk Factors