Maternal diet during pregnancy in relation to eczema and allergic sensitization in the offspring at 2 y of age.
BACKGROUND
Maternal diet during pregnancy might be one of the factors that influences fetal immune responses associated with childhood allergy.


OBJECTIVE
We analyzed the association between maternal diet during the last 4 wk of pregnancy and allergic sensitization and eczema in the offspring at 2 y of age.


METHODS
Data from 2641 children at 2 y of age were analyzed within a German prospective birth cohort study (LISA). Maternal diet during the last 4 wk of pregnancy was assessed with a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire, which was administered shortly after childbirth.


RESULTS
High maternal intake of margarine [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1. 49; 95% CI: 1.08, 2.04] and vegetable oils (aOR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.91) during the last 4 wk of pregnancy was positively associated and high maternal fish intake (aOR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.98) was inversely associated with eczema during the first 2 y in the offspring. High celery (aOR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.89) and citrus fruit (aOR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.53) intakes increased the risk of sensitization against food allergens. In turn, sensitization against inhalant allergens was positively related to a high maternal intake of deep-frying vegetable fat (aOR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.54), raw sweet pepper (aOR: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.20, 3.90), and citrus fruit (aOR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.92).


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that the intake of allergenic foods and foods rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids during pregnancy may increase and foods rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may decrease the risk of allergic diseases in the offspring.
Sausenthaler
Stefanie
S
GSF-National Research Center for Environment and Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Neuherberg, Germany.
Koletzko
Sibylle
S
Schaaf
Beate
B
Lehmann
Irina
I
Borte
Michael
M
Herbarth
Olf
O
von Berg
Andrea
A
Wichmann
H-Erich
HE
Heinrich
Joachim
J
D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D004485:Eczema / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000453:epidemiology