Fish Consumption in Infancy and Asthma-like Symptoms at Preschool Age

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether timing of introduction of fish and the amount of fish consumption in infancy were associated with asthmalike symptoms at preschool age. METHODS: This study was embedded in the Generation R study (a population-based birth cohort in Rotterdam, Netherlands). At the age of 12 and 14 months, timing of introduction of fish into the infant’s diet was assessed. The amount of fish consumption at 14 months was assessed by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Presence of asthmalike symptoms in the past year was assessed at the child’s age of 36 and 48 months. RESULTS: Relative to no introduction in the first year of life, introduction between age 6 and 12 months was significantly associated with a lower risk of wheezing at 48 months (odds ratio [OR]: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.43–0.94). When compared with introduction between 6 and 12 months, no introduction in the first year and introduction between 0 and 6 months were associated with an increased risk of wheezing at 48 months (OR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.07–2.31 and OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.07–2.19, respectively). The amount of fish at age 14 months was not associated with asthmalike symptoms (P > .15). CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of fish between 6 and 12 months but not fish consumption afterward is associated with a lower prevalence of wheezing. A window of exposure between the age of 6 and 12 months might exist in which fish might be associated with a reduced risk of asthma.

Fish and rapeseed oil consumption in infants and mothers: dietary habits and determinants in a nationwide sample in Germany

“…In Stockholm (Sweden) in the 1990s, more than 60 % of the 3,619 children had fish at least once a week at the age of 12 months [24]. In Rotterdam (Netherlands) between 2002 and 2006, more than 90 % of 7,210 infants were given fish in the first year of life [25]. In contrast, in south-west England, only 25 % of 8-month-old infants born in 1992 ate fish at all [26].…”

Exploring Perceptions and Experiences of Food Allergy among New Canadians from Asia

“…This finding is consistent with studies from Asia where shellfish allergy predominates. In contrast, the risk of peanut and tree nut allergy is much higher in individuals from Western countries [5, 26–28]. While the influence of birth place in development of shellfish allergy is still unknown, it is likely that multiple environmental factors are contributing to this phenomenon, including gender, living environment (urban versus rural), and age of intake [5].…”

“…While the influence of birth place in development of shellfish allergy is still unknown, it is likely that multiple environmental factors are contributing to this phenomenon, including gender, living environment (urban versus rural), and age of intake [5]. Researchers are only beginning to find potential links between age of fish intake and allergic disease that may also be the case of shellfish allergy [28, 29]. These links are further complicated by genetic predisposition [30].…”

Dietary primary prevention of allergic diseases in children: the Philippine guidelines

“…Giving wheat at 5 to 5.5 months was inversely associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis. This inverse association is also true with introduction of fish at 9 months or less for allergic rhinitis and atopic sensitization and egg at 11 months for asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic sensitization [63]. …”