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Maternal fatty acid levels during pregnancy, childhood lung function and atopic diseases. The Generation R Study

E Rucci1,2,3, H T den Dekker1,2,3, J C de Jongste2

  • 1The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Clinical and Experimental Allergy : Journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|August 19, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Maternal polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels during pregnancy may impact childhood atopic disease risk. Higher maternal total PUFA and n-6 PUFA were linked to decreased asthma but increased eczema risk in children.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal nutrition
  • Immunology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Maternal diet during pregnancy is crucial for fetal development.
  • Fatty acid profiles may influence fetal immune system maturation.
  • This may affect the risk of developing atopic diseases in childhood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal fatty acid levels during pregnancy and respiratory health in school-aged children.
  • To examine the relationship between maternal fatty acids and the prevalence of asthma and eczema in children.
  • To explore potential links between maternal lipid status and childhood airway inflammation.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 4976 subjects.
  • Maternal plasma glycerophospholipid fatty acids measured via gas chromatography in the second trimester.
  • Childhood asthma, eczema, airway resistance (Rint), and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) assessed at age 6.

Main Results:

  • No consistent associations found between maternal total PUFA, n-6 PUFA, n-3 PUFA, or n-6/n-3 ratio and child's Rint or FeNO.
  • Higher maternal total PUFA and total n-6 PUFA levels were associated with reduced asthma risk (OR 0.76-0.71) but increased eczema risk (OR 1.16-1.21).
  • Associations were partly explained by maternal linoleic acid (LA) levels; not explained by child's PUFA intake.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated maternal total PUFA and n-6 PUFA levels during pregnancy appear to modify childhood atopic disease risk.
  • Specific mechanisms underlying these associations require further investigation.
  • Findings highlight the potential role of maternal fatty acid status in pediatric allergy development.
Abstract

Keywords:
Rintasthmachildcohort studyeczemafractional exhaled nitric oxidematernal fatty acidspregnancy

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