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Published on: October 25, 2018
Maternal antenatal peanut consumption and peanut and rye sensitization in the offspring at adolescence
A S Kemp1, A-L Ponsonby, T Dwyer
1Department of Allergy and Immunology, The Children's Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia. andrew.kemp1@bigpond.com.au
Insights
Maternal peanut consumption during pregnancy did not increase peanut sensitization. However, it was linked to altered sensitization risks for rye and peanut allergies, especially in children without a family history of asthma.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Epidemiology
- Perinatal Health
Background:
- Maternal dietary intake during pregnancy is a potential factor influencing offspring allergy development.
- The relationship between antenatal peanut consumption and allergic sensitization remains controversial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maternal peanut ingestion during pregnancy and the risk of allergic sensitization in offspring.
- To explore potential modifying effects of family history of asthma on this association.
Main Methods:
- A population-based longitudinal cohort study with 16 years of follow-up.
- Maternal peanut consumption documented at birth; offspring sensitization assessed via serum-specific IgE at age 16.
- Analysis included the entire cohort and subgroups based on family history of asthma.
Main Results:
- No association found between antenatal peanut ingestion and peanut sensitization in the overall cohort.
- Antenatal peanut ingestion was associated with decreased risk of rye and peanut sensitization in offspring without a family history of asthma.
- A significantly increased risk of rye sensitization was observed in offspring with a family history of asthma and maternal antenatal peanut ingestion.
Conclusions:
- Antenatal peanut ingestion may influence the development of IgE antibodies to cross-reactive carbohydrate epitopes.
- Genetic factors, such as family history of asthma, may modify the impact of maternal peanut consumption on offspring allergic sensitization.
Background:
There is considerable controversy whether maternal peanut ingestion during pregnancy might influence sensitization in later life. Objective To examine whether maternal peanut ingestion during pregnancy might increase sensitization in the offspring.
Methods:
A population-based longitudinal cohort study with 16 years follow-up was conducted (N=373). Subjects were recruited at birth as part of an infant health study. Maternal antenatal peanut consumption was documented at birth and peanut and rye sensitization were determined by measurement of serum-specific IgE at age 16.
Results:
Peanut sensitization was common (14%). In the entire cohort (n=310), there was no association between antenatal peanut ingestion and peanut sensitization (P=0.17). However, there was a strong association between antenatal peanut ingestion and decreased risk of rye sensitization and peanut sensitization in those (n=201) without a family history (FH) of asthma (Rye OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.14-0.63, P=0.001 and Peanut OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04-0.78, P=0.02). There was an increased risk of rye sensitization in those (n=108) with a FH of asthma and antenatal peanut ingestion (Rye OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.11-6.51 P=0.03). It was considered that these sensitizations were likely to be related to the presence of IgE antibodies to cross-reacting carbohydrate epitopes common to rye and peanut allergens.
Conclusions And Clinical Relevance:
Antenatal peanut ingestion may influence the development of IgE antibody to cross-reacting carbohydrate epitopes in later life. Genetic factors may modify this association.
