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Maternal obesity and childhood wheezing and asthma

Franca Rusconi1, Maja Popovic2

  • 1Unit of Epidemiology, 'Anna Meyer' Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy.

Paediatric Respiratory Reviews
|October 17, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Maternal obesity is a growing concern, potentially linked to childhood wheezing and asthma. However, current evidence remains uncertain about a direct causal relationship, hindering prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Reproductive Health

Background:

  • Obesity is a significant global public health issue, particularly affecting women of reproductive age.
  • Maternal pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity are established risk factors for adverse maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes.
  • Childhood respiratory conditions like wheezing and asthma are common, with potential links to maternal health status.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent evidence on the association between maternal pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and childhood wheezing and asthma.
  • To explore potential mechanisms, mediators, and confounding factors involved in this association.
  • To assess the current certainty regarding a causal relationship.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of recent studies.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data and observational studies.
  • Discussion of proposed biological and environmental pathways.

Main Results:

  • Numerous studies have investigated the link between maternal obesity and childhood respiratory issues.
  • Key confounders and potential mediators have been considered in the existing research.
  • Despite extensive investigation, a definitive causal link remains uncertain.

Conclusions:

  • The causal relationship between maternal pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and childhood wheezing and asthma requires further elucidation.
  • Understanding the causal chain is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies for these conditions.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the complex interplay of factors involved.

Keywords:
Maternal obesityasthmacohort studiesfoetal programmingwheezing

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