title: Maternal diet during pregnancy and allergic sensitization in the offspring by 5 yrs of age: a prospective cohort study.
abstract: To examine the effect of maternal diet during pregnancy on allergic sensitization in the offspring by 5 yrs of age. The Finnish type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention Nutrition Study. A population-based cohort study with 5-yr follow-up. A total of 931 children with human leukocyte antigen-conferred susceptibility to type 1 diabetes for whom maternal pregnancy food frequency questionnaire data and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E measurement at 5 yrs were available. Increasing maternal consumption of citrus fruits [odds ratio (OR) = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05-1.25] and total fruit (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.09-1.70) were positively associated with sensitization to inhalant allergens, after adjustment for potential confounders. Maternal intake of vitamin D (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.35-0.91) was inversely associated with sensitization to food allergens. Maternal consumption of citrus fruits during pregnancy may increase the risk to allergic sensitization in the offspring, whereas vitamin D intake may have a beneficial effect. Further studies are required to define more closely the putative effect of maternal intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids on development of allergic diseases in the offspring.
authors.affiliation: Tampere School of Public Health, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. bright.nwaru@uta.fi
authors.forename: Bright I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Nwaru
authors.forename: Suvi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahonen
authors.forename: Minna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaila
authors.forename: Maijaliisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erkkola
authors.forename: Anna-Maija
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Haapala
authors.forename: Carina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kronberg-Kippilä
authors.forename: Riitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Veijola
authors.forename: Jorma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ilonen
authors.forename: Olli
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Simell
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knip
authors.forename: Suvi M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Virtanen
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005638:Fruit / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D039401:Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D014807:Vitamin D; D007073:Immunoglobulin E