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Published on: August 7, 2017
Prenatal polyunsaturated fatty acids and child asthma: Effect modification by maternal asthma and child sex
Maria José Rosa1, Terryl J Hartman2, Margaret Adgent3
1Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY.
Insights
Prenatal exposure to omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) increased childhood asthma risk, while omega-3 PUFAs showed a protective effect. These associations were significantly modified by maternal asthma history and child sex, highlighting key risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Allergy
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Background:
- Inconsistent findings exist regarding prenatal polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake and childhood wheeze/asthma.
- Investigating the influence of specific PUFA types and their ratios is crucial for understanding respiratory health outcomes in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between prenatal polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) status and the risk of wheeze and asthma in children.
- To investigate the modifying effects of maternal asthma/atopy, child sex, and maternal race on these associations.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed plasma omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) PUFAs from 1019 mother-child dyads during the second trimester.
- Assessed child wheeze/asthma outcomes at ages 4-6 years using physician diagnoses, symptoms, and medication use.
- Employed modified Poisson regression with interaction terms to analyze PUFA indicators and outcomes, considering potential modifiers.
Main Results:
- Higher prenatal omega-6 PUFAs correlated with increased risk of ever and current diagnosed asthma (RR 1.70).
- Higher prenatal omega-3 PUFAs were associated with a reduced risk of current diagnosed asthma (RR 0.59).
- Maternal asthma history amplified the risk of respiratory outcomes with higher n-6 PUFAs; a significant 3-way interaction revealed highest risk in male children of asthmatic mothers with high n-6/n-3 ratios.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal PUFA status significantly influences childhood wheeze and asthma risk.
- Maternal asthma history and child sex are critical modifiers of the relationship between prenatal PUFA exposure and respiratory health outcomes.
- Targeted interventions focusing on PUFA balance during pregnancy may be beneficial for preventing childhood asthma, particularly in high-risk groups.
Background:
Findings on prenatal polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake and child wheeze and asthma have been inconsistent.
Objective:
We sought to examine associations between prenatal PUFA status and child wheeze/asthma and modifying effects of maternal asthma/atopy, child sex, and maternal race.
Methods:
Analyses included 1019 mother-child dyads with omega-3 (n-3) and omega-3 (n-6) PUFAs measured in second-trimester plasma; n-6/n-3 ratios were calculated. Child wheeze/asthma outcomes ascertained at age 4 to 6 years included ever physician-diagnosed asthma, current wheeze (symptoms past 12 months), current asthma (diagnosis and medication and/or symptoms past 12 months), and current diagnosed asthma. Each PUFA indicator and outcome was analyzed in separate models using modified Poisson regression with interaction terms.
Results:
In quartile (Q) analyses, higher n-6 PUFAs were associated with increased risk of ever (risk ratio [RR] high vs low [RR Q4 vs Q1], 1.70; 95% CI, 1.07-2.71) and current (RR Q4 vs Q1, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.07-2.71) diagnosed asthma, whereas n-3 PUFAs were associated with lower risk (RR Q4 vs Q1, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.33-1.03) of current diagnosed asthma (Ptrend < .05 for all). Higher n-6 PUFAs were associated with a higher risk of all respiratory outcomes among children born to women with asthma (Pinteraction < .05 for all outcomes). A significant 3-way interaction between child sex, maternal asthma, and n-6/n-3 PUFA indicated that male children born to women with asthma and a higher ratio had the highest risk across wheeze/asthma outcomes (Pinteraction < .05).
Conclusions:
Associations between prenatal PUFA status and childhood wheeze/asthma were modified by maternal history of asthma and child sex.
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