Coexistence of IgE-mediated allergy and type 1 diabetes in childhood.

Background: Autoimmune disorders are considered to be associated with a Th1 immune response while allergic diseases with a Th2 response. We carried out a study to determine whether there is an inverse relationship between allergic diseases in IgE-sensitized children or positive skin-prick test reactions to allergens and type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) in children.

Methods: Sixty-three children with DM1 and 108 controls were enrolled.