Maternal antenatal folate levels and offspring risk of IgE‐mediated food sensitisation

John Molloy,Richard Saffery,Mimi Lk Tang,Jennifer Koplin,Fiona Collier,Peter Vuillermin,Katrina Allen,Anne‐Louise Ponsonby

doi:10.1186/2045-7022-5-s3-p90

Abstract

Background The prevalence of IgE-mediated food allergy has increased in the developed world, particularly among children less than 5 years of age. Widespread folate supplementation during pregnancy commenced in the 1980’s in an attempt to decrease the rate of neural tube defects. This introduction corresponded with the increase in inflammatory disease in children, including allergic conditions. Elevated maternal folate has been associated with allergic disease development in mice, yet there is conflicting evidence in humans as to whether elevated levels, associated with folic acid supplementation in pregnancy, may be associated with allergic airway disease in children.

Highlights

The prevalence of IgE-mediated food allergy has increased in the developed world, among children less than 5 years of age
Elevated maternal folate has been associated with allergic disease development in mice, yet there is conflicting evidence in humans as to whether elevated levels, associated with folic acid supplementation in pregnancy, may be associated with allergic airway disease in children
The mean red cell folate level in mothers of non-sensitized infants was 1716.65 nmols/L, whereas the mean level in mothers of sensitized infants was 1839.05 nmols/L

Summary

Background

The prevalence of IgE-mediated food allergy has increased in the developed world, among children less than 5 years of age. Widespread folate supplementation during pregnancy commenced in the 1980’s in an attempt to decrease the rate of neural tube defects. This introduction corresponded with the increase in inflammatory disease in children, including allergic conditions. Elevated maternal folate has been associated with allergic disease development in mice, yet there is conflicting evidence in humans as to whether elevated levels, associated with folic acid supplementation in pregnancy, may be associated with allergic airway disease in children

Results

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