Maternal Dietary Protein Patterns During Pregnancy and the Risk of Infant Eczema: A Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have suggested that maternal dietary protein was associated with allergic diseases in offspring, but few studies have evaluated the influence of dietary protein patterns. This study aimed to explore the prospective association between maternal dietary protein patterns during pregnancy and the risk of infant eczema.Methods: A total of 713 mother-child pairs from a prospective cohort in Guangzhou, China were recruited. Maternal dietary protein was estimated using a validated face-to-face food frequency questionnaire at 20–28 weeks' gestation from 2017 to 2018. Dietary protein patterns were calculated based on the sources of protein. The data of infant eczema was assessed at 6 months of age using the symptom questionnaire of eczema. Logistic regression was carried out to examine the associations between maternal dietary protein patterns and infant eczema.Results: The cumulative incidence of infant eczema at 6 months of age was 51.19%. Mothers of infants with eczema consumed more protein from poultry source during pregnancy than mothers of infants without eczema, while no statistical differences were observed in maternal intakes of protein from cereals and tubers, vegetables, fruits, red meat, fish and seafood, eggs, dairy, soybean, and nuts and seeds. Four dietary protein patterns were identified and termed poultry, plant, dairy and eggs, and red meat and fish. The cumulative incidence of eczema was 61.2, 45.8, 48.0, 51.4% for these four patterns, respectively. Compared to the poultry dietary pattern, the plant pattern and the dairy and eggs pattern were associated with a reduced risk of infant eczema, and the adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 0.572 (0.330–0.992), 0.478 (0.274–0.837), respectively. No such association was observed for the red meat and fish dietary protein pattern.Conclusion: This is the first study that focused on the association between maternal dietary protein during pregnancy from a whole-diet perspective and infant eczema. Compared with the poultry dietary protein pattern, the maternal plant pattern and the dairy and eggs pattern during pregnancy were associated with a reduced risk of infant eczema.

Association of maternal low‐carbohydrate‐diet score during pregnancy with allergic diseases at 2 years of age

“…While high‐quality carbohydrate, like whole grains, have lots of bioactive components (such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals), except for macronutrients. Additionally, it was found that protein, probably animal protein, had a protective effect on allergic diseases, which is contrary to the results of another study in Guangzhou, China 30 . The reason for inconsistent results might be the different maternal average intake of animal protein, with an energy of 5.5% in our study and 8.9% in that study 30 .…”

“…Additionally, it was found that protein, probably animal protein, had a protective effect on allergic diseases, which is contrary to the results of another study in Guangzhou, China 30 . The reason for inconsistent results might be the different maternal average intake of animal protein, with an energy of 5.5% in our study and 8.9% in that study 30 . Besides, we found higher animal fat intake was associated with a higher risk of allergic diseases.…”

“…30 The reason for inconsistent results might be the different maternal average intake of animal protein, with an energy of 5.5% in our study and 8.9% in that study. 30 Besides, we found higher animal fat intake was associated with a higher risk of allergic diseases. Findings from the present study highlight the importance of a balanced intake of animal protein and animal fat during pregnancy, in addition to the total protein and fat, to prevent allergic diseases.…”