Maternal first-trimester serum vitamin A/E concentration and risk of infant atopic dermatitis within 12 months

The relationship between maternal antioxidative vitamins intake and infant atopic dermatitis (AD) remains inconclusive, and evidence of maternal serum vitamin levels is scarce. This study aimed to quantify the association of maternal serum vitamin A and E concentrations at first trimester with the risk of infant AD.

A cohort of 456 pregnant women was recruited at 12-14 weeks gestation, serum vitamin A (retinol) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) concentrations were assessed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry at enrollment. Their offspring were followed up at birth, 42 days, 6 months, and 12 months for AD occurrence. Multivariable discrete-time survival analyses were employed for association analyses.

A total of 121 (26.5%) infants developed AD. The median (interquartile range) of maternal serum vitamin E and vitamin A concentrations at first trimester was 13.1 (11.1, 15.3) and 0.52 (0.45, 0.60) μg/mL, respectively. Each μg/mL increase in vitamin E concentration was linearly associated with an 8% reduction in infant AD risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86-0.98); the association remained after adjustment of covariates including folate and vitamin D concentration. Infants born to mothers with the highest tertile of vitamin E had a 46% reduced AD risk (aHR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.32-0.91) compared to those in the middle tertile. No association was found between maternal vitamin A concentration and infant AD.

There is a linear relationship between higher maternal serum vitamin E concentration at first trimester and reduced risk of infant AD. The findings underscore the potentials of achieving sufficient maternal vitamin E during pregnancy in preventing infant AD.