The presented work deals with the problem of assessment of the IgE level in umbilical blood as a risk factor for the development of subsequent disease. The authors investigated a child population born in 1992–1993 in the Beroun district up to the age of five years. They evaluated their allergological diagnosis prevalence of respiratory diseases and skin changes throughout life. It was revealed that the fundamental risk factor which participates most significantly in the development of disease in the child is the presence of disease in one of the parents. This risk was considerably enhanced by elevated IgE levels in umbilical blood. Moreover, by the age of five years the majority of children with a negative family-history and high IgE levels in umbilical blood became ill. Other factors which enhanced the risk of development of allergic disease were complications during pregnancy and childbirth and difficulties when the infant was waened from the breast. Parents, in particular fathers, of children who already have dispensary care smoke signi- ficantly more frequently.

        Key words: allergy – IgE level in umbilical blood – risk