Allergy prevention by maternal elimination diet during late pregnancy—a 5-year follow-up of a randomized study

Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children: The Role of Maternal Dietary Restriction, Breastfeeding, Timing of Introduction of Complementary Foods, and Hydrolyzed Formulas

“…However, studies generally have not supported a protective effect of a maternal exclusion diet (including the exclusion of cow milk and eggs) during pregnancy on the development of atopic disease in infants, as summarized in a 2006 Cochrane review. [5][6][7][8][9][10] Although previous AAP publications have suggested that pregnant women avoid peanuts, 3,11 a more recent study has reported that there is no association between the maternal consumption of peanuts during pregnancy and childhood peanut allergy. 12 Previous AAP publications have advised lactating mothers with infants at high risk of developing allergy to avoid peanuts and tree nuts and to consider eliminating eggs, cow milk, and fish from their diets while nursing.…”

Peanut, Milk, and Wheat Intake During Pregnancy Is Associated With Reduced Allergy and Asthma In Children

“…5 Subsequent systematic reviews of the literature concluded that the current evidence is inadequate to support any dietary restrictions during pregnancy. [6][7][8][9] The majority of studies on this topic have been conducted in populations selected for allergic propensity, [10][11][12][13][14] rendering inference to the general population challenging. Further, previous studies of the potential impact of maternal diet during pregnancy have examined only the last month or trimester of pregnancy [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] and analyzed outcomes only in the first year(s) of life.…”

Can we prevent allergy?

“…Zeiger et al however reported no difference between groups (complex food avoidance vs standard advice) for allergic sensitization or symptoms of disease at age 7 (28). Falth Magnusson et al and investigators for the Wales infant feeding study saw no difference at any age (34,48). Recently the German Infant Nutrition Intervention (GINI) Study reported first findings (49)(50)(51).…”

“…Studies on food allergen avoidance during pregnancy have until recently failed to show a benefit and been associated with adverse effects such as impaired maternal and foetal weight gain (34)(35)(36). These studies advised the avoidance of multiple food allergens thus severely restricting what mothers could eat, causing potential problems with compliance and the interpretation of results (34,35). Grimshaw et al recently reported first findings from their ongoing randomized controlled trial of strict maternal egg avoidance during pregnancy and lactation (37).…”

“…Evidence for in utero sensitization to inhalant allergens is currently weak and controversial (31)(32)(33). Studies on food allergen avoidance during pregnancy have until recently failed to show a benefit and been associated with adverse effects such as impaired maternal and foetal weight gain (34)(35)(36). These studies advised the avoidance of multiple food allergens thus severely restricting what mothers could eat, causing potential problems with compliance and the interpretation of results (34,35).…”