Factors associated with maternal dietary intake, feeding and weaning practices, and the development of food hypersensitivity in the infant

Abstract

Maternal diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as infant feeding and weaning practices, may play a role in the development of sensitization to food and food hypersensitivity (FHS) and need further investigation. Pregnant women were recruited at 12 wk pregnancy. Information regarding family history of allergy was obtained by means of a questionnaire. A food frequency questionnaire was completed at 36 wk gestation. Information regarding feeding practices and reported symptoms of atopy was obtained during the infants' first 3 yr of life. Children were also skin-prick tested at 1, 2 and 3 yr to a pre-defined panel of food allergens. Food challenges were conducted where possible. Maternal dietary intake during pregnancy, and breast-feeding duration did not influence the development of sensitization to food allergens or FHS, but weaning age (>= 16 wk) did for sensitization at 1 yr (p = 0.03), FHS by 1 yr (p = 0.02), sensitization at 3 yr (p = 0.01) and FHS by 3 yr (p = 0.02). In contrast, children who were not exposed to a certain food allergen before the age of 3-6 months were less likely to become sensitized or develop FHS. Women with a family history of allergic disease were more likely to breastfeed exclusively at 3 months (p = 0.008) and avoid peanuts from the infant's diet at 6 months (p = 0.03). Maternal dietary intake during pregnancy, and breast-feeding duration did not appear to influence the development of sensitization to food allergens or FHS. Weaning age may affect sensitization to foods and development of FHS. A history of allergic disease has very little impact on maternal dietary, feeding, and weaning practices

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

“…40 In that study, Maslova et al found that midpregnancy nut intake was associated with decreased odds of asthma and allergic rhinitis, although they did not examine other foods or outcomes other than asthma and allergic rhinitis. 40 We found no other studies that examined maternal diet before 25 weeks, with most assessing diet for the last month or last trimester of pregnancy only, [10][11][12][13][14][15][16]18 and most relying on distant recall of diet after the child's birth and after study enrollment. 13,16,39 Thus, a strength of our study is the prospective collection of dietary information at two time points during pregnancy.…”

“…13 Overall, most studies examining the role of maternal diet on child atopy selected subjects from atopic families, [10][11][12][13][14] or recruited subjects with the aim of examining asthma and allergy. 15,17,18,44 The topic has been examined in general birth cohort studies, but with limitations; a UK-based general birth cohort study relied on distant recall of pregnancy diet after study enrollment, 39 and a Danish general birth cohort study did not assess maternal diet before the 25 th week of pregnancy. 40 In that study, Maslova et al found that midpregnancy nut intake was associated with decreased odds of asthma and allergic rhinitis, although they did not examine other foods or outcomes other than asthma and allergic rhinitis.…”

“…[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. [10][11][12][13][16][17][18] Because many cells thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of allergy and asthma are formed during early pregnancy 19,20 , an examination of exposures during the first and second trimesters could be worthwhile.…”

“…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. [10][11][12][13][16][17][18] Because many cells thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of allergy and asthma are formed during early pregnancy 19,20 , an examination of exposures during the first and second trimesters could be worthwhile. Further, studying the potential effects of such exposures beyond early-childhood could help with clinical counseling.…”

Does maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation affect outcomes in offspring? A systematic review of food-based approaches

“…In the Isle of Wight, Venter [63], reported frequency of maternal intake of common allergens during pregnancy and lactation and food hypersensitivity in the offspring at 1 and 3 years of age.…”