Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Maternal food consumption during pregnancy and the longitudinal development of childhood asthma
Saskia M Willers1, Alet H Wijga, Bert Brunekreef
1Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80178, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands. s.m.willers@uu.nl
Insights
Maternal consumption of nut products during pregnancy was linked to a higher risk of childhood asthma symptoms. Further research is needed before providing dietary recommendations to pregnant women regarding nut intake.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pediatrics
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Maternal diet during pregnancy influences fetal airway development and immune responses.
- Dietary factors may increase the risk of childhood asthma and allergies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maternal dietary intake during pregnancy and asthma outcomes in children up to 8 years of age.
Main Methods:
- A birth cohort study included 4,146 pregnant women, assessing their dietary habits.
- Children were followed longitudinally until age 8 to monitor asthma-related outcomes.
- Statistical analyses examined links between maternal diet and childhood asthma.
Main Results:
- No significant associations were found between maternal intake of vegetables, fish, eggs, milk, or milk products and childhood asthma.
- Daily maternal consumption of nut products was associated with increased odds of childhood wheeze, dyspnea, steroid use, and asthma symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Maternal consumption of nut products during pregnancy may elevate the risk of childhood asthma.
- Further studies are required to confirm these findings and inform dietary guidelines for pregnant women.
Rationale:
Maternal diet during pregnancy has the potential to affect airway development and to promote T-helper-2-cell responses during fetal life. This might increase the risk of developing childhood asthma or allergy.
Objectives:
We investigated the influence of maternal food consumption during pregnancy on childhood asthma outcomes from 1 to 8 years of age.
Methods:
A birth cohort study consisting of a baseline of 4,146 pregnant women (1,327 atopic and 2,819 nonatopic). These women were asked about their frequency of consumption of fruit, vegetables, fish, egg, milk, milk products, nuts, and nut products during the last month. Their children were followed until 8 years of age. Longitudinal analyses were conducted to assess associations between maternal diet during pregnancy and childhood asthma outcomes over 8 years.
Measurements And Main Results:
Complete data were obtained for 2,832 children. There were no associations between maternal vegetable, fish, egg, milk or milk products, and nut consumption and longitudinal childhood outcomes. Daily consumption of nut products increased the risk of childhood wheeze (odds ratio [OR] daily versus rare consumption, 1.42; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.06-1.89), dyspnea (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.16-2.15), steroid use (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.06-2.46), and asthma symptoms (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.08-1.99).
Conclusions:
Results of this study indicate an increased risk of daily versus rare consumption of nut products during pregnancy on childhood asthma outcomes. These findings need to be replicated by other studies before dietary advice can be given to pregnant women.
More Related Videos
03:19Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
05:44Concurrent Collection of Fetal Murine Brain and Serum to Assess Effects of Maternal Diet on Nutrition and Neurodevelopment in Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Published on: May 17, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:28Asthma I: Introduction
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:23Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...