Can an unborn baby have an allergy?

[nursing_student_34]

I am currently in nursing school and I asked the question can an unborn baby have an allergy? My patient had a stillborn child and the mother had to take PCN and I was wondering if an unborn child could have an allergy to something. My instructor did not have an answer and we as a class are researching this. I have read that there is research but not where they did the research. If anyone has an answer or a website that I can go to because Im striking out on this question it would be greatly appreciated.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/action/showpdf?submitpdf=full+text+pdf+%2839+kb%29&doi=10.1034%2fj.1398-9995.2000.00032.x&cookieset=1

.... it was found that the fetus can produce

ige already from the 11th to 12th weeks of gestation

(10). it has also been generally accepted that ige does

not pass the placental barrier; therefore, the ige in cord

blood is assumed to be of fetal origin (11).

in allergy review series vi, ``the immunology of fetuses and infants'', leading pediatric allergologists will present up-to-date summaries of the immunology of the fetus and the infant in relation to ige sensitization and clinical allergy during infancy

[mommyRN07]

Interesting. I would've said no right off the bat. I guess it depends on which theory you go by, as I know pediatric immunologists who wholeheartedly deny that a child can develop true allergies (barring food allergies) until at least age 3.