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Published on: May 21, 2015
In utero Programming of Allergic Susceptibility
Jessica A Grieger1, Vicki L Clifton, Astrud R Tuck
1Robinson Research Institute and School of Medicine, University ofAdelaide, Adelaide, S.A., Australia.
Insights
Prenatal exposures significantly impact childhood allergy development. Identifying these early life risk factors and protective elements is crucial for preventing the rising allergy pandemic in children.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Allergy affects 30-40% of the global population, with incidence rising, particularly in children.
- Early life events, especially in utero exposures, are strongly linked to allergy development.
- Up to 18% of children experience respiratory, food, or skin allergies before age 18.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review prenatal risk factors for childhood allergy.
- To outline potential mechanisms linking prenatal exposures to allergy development.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
- The review focused on prenatal risk factors and underlying mechanisms of childhood allergy.
Main Results:
- Maternal smoking, preterm birth, and Cesarean delivery are associated with increased allergy risk.
- In utero growth restriction, healthy maternal diet, and larger family size appear protective.
- Mechanisms for protective factors require further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Defining prenatal mechanisms altering fetal immune programming is essential.
- Identifying specific targets for antenatal interventions is necessary to combat the allergy pandemic.
- Understanding early life influences is key to preventing childhood allergies.
Background:
Around 30-40% of the world's population will experience allergy, the most common and earliest-onset noncommunicable disease. With a steady rise in the incidence of allergic disease over recent decades, up to 18% of children will suffer a respiratory, food or skin allergy before their 18th birthday. There is compelling evidence that the risk of developing allergy is influenced by early life events and particularly in utero exposures.
Methods:
A comprehensive literature review was undertaken which outlines prenatal risk factors and potential mechanisms underlying the development of allergy in childhood.
Results:
Exposures including maternal cigarette smoking, preterm birth and Caesarean delivery are implicated in predisposing infants to the later development of allergy. In contrast, restricted growth in utero, a healthy maternal diet and a larger family size are protective, but the mechanisms here are unclear and require further investigation.
Conclusion:
To ameliorate the allergy pandemic in young children, we must define prenatal mechanisms that alter the programming of the fetal immune system and also identify specific targets for antenatal interventions.
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