Nutrition during Pregnancy May Be Associated with Allergic Diseases in Infants.

Abstract

SummaryThe prevalence of allergic diseases is high in Japan, even in infants. Their risk for developing allergies is influenced by the antigens in the mother's diet during pregnancy. We hypothesized that, apart from the antigens, hypersensitivity induced through high en ergy and nutrient intake by mothers during pregnancy may be a factor for allergic diseases in their babies. In this study, we tried to confirm our hypothesis. Allergy histories of parents and their infants, body characteristics and food and nutrient intake were measured by a questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire, respectively. A total of 2,642 responses were obtained (return rate, 94.7%). The major allergic diseases in the infants were atopic dermatitis (6.0%), food allergy (3.7%) and bronchial asthma or asthmatic bronchitis (3.2%). About 60% of the infants with allergies had a family history of allergies. Family his tory of allergy, age of infant, order of birth, head and chest circumferences of infants, BMI of mothers before pregnancy and delivery and intake of lipids (fat and vegetable oil) and veg etables by mothers related positively, and the intake of protein, carbohydrates and milk and its products correlated negatively with allergic diseases in the infants (p<0.05). The results, together with previous reports, suggest that a high intake of energy and lipids (fat and veg etable oil) during pregnancy may accelerate allergic diseases in infants.

Government advice on peanut avoidance during pregnancy – is it followed correctly and what is the impact on sensitization?

“…Most are observational studies which are subject to recall bias as information regarding maternal food intake was collected retrospectively, often years after pregnancy (Hourihane et al. , 1996; Ushiyama et al. , 2002).…”

“…It is difficult to draw a comparison between these findings and the literature as few studies have attempted to address the relationship between maternal food intake/avoidance and infant sensitization and allergy. Most are observational studies which are subject to recall bias as information regarding maternal food intake was collected retrospectively, often years after pregnancy (Hourihane et al, 1996;Ushiyama et al, 2002). In a recent prospective study conducted in Southampton (UK) pregnant women from highrisk families were recruited at 16 weeks of pregnancy and randomized into a group continuing with their normal diet and a group avoiding egg (Vance et al, 2004).…”

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

“…A small number of studies have investigated maternal dietary intake during pregnancy and its role in the development of allergic disease. These studies included food avoidance during pregnancy (1, 2), the role of fruit and vegetable intake (3), peanut consumption (4, 5), maternal fat intake and fatty acids (6, 7), and the role of probiotics (8). None of these studies found a conclusive relationship between the factors studied and the development of food hypersensitivity (FHS) or allergic disease.…”

The alkylphenols 4‐nonylphenol, 4‐tert‐octylphenol and 4‐tert‐butylphenol aggravate atopic dermatitis‐like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice

“…The number of patients with AD has increased worldwide (Horii et al, 2007;Sugiura et al, 1998;Williams, 1992) and may be explained by the increase in allergens, including mites, microbes, the hair and dandruff of pets and high-fat diets (Hon et al, 2005;Kulthanan et al, 2011;Ushiyama et al, 2002;Zirngibl et al, 2002). Further, environmental chemicals may enhance allergies.…”