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Maternal diet during pregnancy and allergic sensitization in the offspring by 5 yrs of age: a prospective cohort
Bright I Nwaru1, Suvi Ahonen, Minna Kaila
1Tampere School of Public Health, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. bright.nwaru@uta.fi
Insights
Maternal citrus fruit intake during pregnancy may increase offspring allergy risk, while vitamin D may offer protection. This study investigated dietary impacts on allergic sensitization in children up to five years old.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Immunology
- Pediatric Allergy
Background:
- Maternal diet during pregnancy is a critical factor influencing offspring immune development.
- Allergic diseases represent a significant global health burden with complex etiological origins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maternal dietary intake during pregnancy and allergic sensitization in offspring at five years of age.
- To explore the specific roles of citrus fruits, total fruit consumption, and vitamin D in modulating allergy risk.
Main Methods:
- Population-based cohort study with a 5-year follow-up of 931 children.
- Utilized maternal food frequency questionnaires during pregnancy.
- Assessed allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels at age 5 to determine sensitization.
Main Results:
- Increased maternal consumption of citrus fruits and total fruits was positively associated with sensitization to inhalant allergens (OR=1.14-1.36).
- Maternal vitamin D intake showed an inverse association with sensitization to food allergens (OR=0.56).
Conclusions:
- Maternal citrus fruit intake may elevate the risk of allergic sensitization in offspring.
- Maternal vitamin D intake appears to have a protective effect against food allergen sensitization.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in offspring allergy development.
Abstract:
To examine the effect of maternal diet during pregnancy on allergic sensitization in the offspring by 5 yrs of age. The Finnish type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention Nutrition Study. A population-based cohort study with 5-yr follow-up. A total of 931 children with human leukocyte antigen-conferred susceptibility to type 1 diabetes for whom maternal pregnancy food frequency questionnaire data and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E measurement at 5 yrs were available. Increasing maternal consumption of citrus fruits [odds ratio (OR) = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05-1.25] and total fruit (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.09-1.70) were positively associated with sensitization to inhalant allergens, after adjustment for potential confounders. Maternal intake of vitamin D (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.35-0.91) was inversely associated with sensitization to food allergens. Maternal consumption of citrus fruits during pregnancy may increase the risk to allergic sensitization in the offspring, whereas vitamin D intake may have a beneficial effect. Further studies are required to define more closely the putative effect of maternal intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids on development of allergic diseases in the offspring.
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