Allergic Diseases In Offspring Research Articles

Risk of Asthma and Allergies in Children Delivered by Cesarean Section: A Comprehensive Systematic Review

It is currently unclear whether cesarean section increases the risk of allergic diseases in offspring. To investigate the association between cesarean section and the risk of allergic diseases in offspring. We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies up to October 12, 2023. Observational studies comparing the risk of allergic diseases in offspring delivered by cesarean section versus those delivered vaginally were included. Most-adjusted estimates from individual studies were synthesized by meta-analysis. A total of 113 studies were included, 70 of which had a low risk of bias. Compared with offspring delivered vaginally, offspring delivered by cesarean section had significantly greater risks of asthma (odds ratio [OR] 1.20, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.25), allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis (OR 1.15, CI 1.09 to 1.22), atopic dermatitis/eczema (OR 1.08, CI 1.04 to 1.13), food allergies (OR 1.35, CI 1.18 to 1.54), and allergic sensitization (OR 1.19, CI 1.10 to 1.28). Cesarean section did not significantly increase urticaria risk. Sensitivity analyses including only studies with a low risk of bias, adjusted estimates, prospective data collection, large sample sizes, or outcomes from medical records generally supported these findings. Offspring age, study region latitude, economy type, and cesarean section rate accounted for some of the clinical heterogeneity. No data on allergic purpura were found. Most-adjusted estimates suggest that cesarean section is associated with increased risks of asthma, allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis/eczema, food allergies, and allergic sensitization in offspring. The impact of cesarean section on urticaria and purpura remains uncertain.

Association between frozen embryo transfer and childhood allergy: a retrospective cohort study

Research questionDoes frozen embryo transfer (FET) elevate the risk of allergic diseases in offspring? DesignIn this study, we followed up 653 singleton children, including 166 children born through FET and 487 children born through natural conception (NC). Demographic characteristics, perinatal information and allergic diseases of children and their parents were collected through clinical medical systems and questionnaires. Furthermore, among these 653 children, allergen-specific IgE testing was performed using peripheral blood samples collected from 207 children, including 62 children in the NC group and 145 children in the FET group. The prevalence rates of allergic diseases and the positive rates of allergen-specific IgE testing were compared between FET and NC groups with adjustments for confounding factors. ResultsResults showed that children born from FET had a significantly elevated prevalence rate of food allergy (aOR=3.154, 95% CI:1.895-5.250, p<0.001). Align with this, the positive rates of food allergen sensitization were also increased (aOR=5.767, 95%CI: 2.859-11.751, p<0.001). In addition, FET children exhibited a higher positive sensitization rate to at least one allergen compared to NC children (aOR=3.127, 95%CI: 1.640-5.961, p<0.001). No association was observed between FET and other allergic diseases, including asthma (p=0.136), atopic dermatitis (AD) (p=0.130) and allergic rhinitis (AR) (p=0.922). Also, allergen-sensitization IgE testing indicated no differences between FET and NC children in the positive rates of other common allergens, including animals and insects allergens (p=0.627), inhaled outdoor allergens (p=0.915), and inhaled outdoor allergens (p=0.544). ConclusionOur study suggested that children born from FET had an increased risk of developing food allergies in early childhood.

Breastfeeding and risk of food allergy and allergic rhinitis in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

The association between breastfeeding and the occurrence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and food allergy (FA) in offspring remains inconclusive. This review aims to comprehensively explore the potential relationships between various patterns and durations of breastfeeding and allergic diseases in offspring. We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, WOS databases, and Google Scholar for observational studies published up to March 30, 2023, that investigated the link between breastfeeding and allergies in offspring. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated employing an appropriate model based on the degree of heterogeneity. A total of 68 studies, encompassing 772,142 children, were ultimately included. The findings indicated that breastfeeding for more than 6 months was associated with a reduced risk of AR (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.79 to 0.98) but posed a risk for FA (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.27 to 2.25). Exclusive breastfeeding exhibited a protective effect against AR (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90 to 0.97), whereas non-breastfeeding was identified as a risk factor for AR (OR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.03 to 2.12). No significant association was observed between breastfeeding patterns and FA. Conclusion: Breastfeeding for more than 6 months proves to be an effective preventive measure against AR. However, large prospective high-quality studies are needed to investigate the potential risk of FA in children with prolonged breastfeeding.What is Known:• The impact of breastfeeding on allergic rhinitis and food allergy in offspring is controversial.• Previous meta-analyses fail to prove the effect of breastfeeding on food allergy in offspring of all ages.What is New:• Breastfeeding for more than 6 months proves to be an effective preventive measure against AR. However, it potentially elevates the risk of FA in children. Non-breastfeeding is linked to an increased risk of AR in children, but there is no evidence of an association between breastfeeding patterns and FA in children.• The impact of breastfeeding on allergic rhinitis and food allergy in offspring may vary with the time and pattern of breastfeeding.

Perinatal Risk Factors for Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis in Children and Adolescents.

In this study, we evaluated the associations between birth-related exposures, postnatal factors, and the risk of allergic rhinitis and asthma in children and adolescents. We performed a comprehensive search of five literature databases up to May 2023. To quantify the associations of birth-related exposures (birth weight, delivery mode, prematurity, sex, maternal age, and parental allergy history) and postnatal factors (birth order, number of siblings, breastfeeding exclusivity, and breastfeeding duration) with allergic disease, we calculated pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. We conducted subgroup analyses for allergic disease type, birth order, number of siblings, and parental allergy history. The methodological quality of the identified studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. This meta-analysis included 31 studies, encompassing 218,899 patients in total. The birth-related exposures of low birth weight, maternal age, and prematurity (less than 37 weeks gestation) were not significantly associated with the risk of asthma or allergic rhinitis during childhood or adolescence. Male sex, family history of allergy, and cesarean delivery were linked to an elevated risk of asthma or allergic rhinitis. Among postnatal factors, exclusive breastfeeding, breastfeeding for longer than 6 months, second or later birth order, and having siblings exhibited protective effects against allergic diseases in offspring. The risks of allergic rhinitis and asthma were elevated in male patients, those delivered by cesarean section, and those with a family history of allergy. Conversely, exclusive breastfeeding, breastfeeding for longer than 6 months, and having siblings corresponded to a reduced risk of respiratory allergic diseases.

Nuts, vegetables, fruits, and protein dietary pattern during pregnancy is inversely associated with risk of childhood allergies: a case–control study

Allergic diseases are prevalent chronic conditions among children and can lead to significant health and economic issues. It is hypothesized that healthy and high quality diet during pregnancy can prevent the onset of allergic diseases in offspring. This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between major dietary patterns during pregnancy and allergies in children under one year of age. This case–control study was conducted involving 244 participants (122 mothers of allergic children and 122 healthy controls) who visited pediatricians and allergy outpatient clinics in Khuzestan Province, Iran, between June 2022 and March 2023. Demographic information was recorded using a socio-demographic questionnaire. A food frequency questionnaire was used to identify the foods consumed during pregnancy. Major dietary patterns were extracted using principal component analysis, and the potential relationship between these patterns and childhood allergies was investigated using multivariable logistic regression models. The crude odds ratio (OR) analysis showed that the fourth quartile of "Nut, vegetables, fruits, and protein" dietary pattern was associated with lower occurrence of childhood allergies (OR: 0.214, 95% CI = 0.068–0.679; P trend = 0.211). After adjusting for cofactors in Model 3, this association was still observed in the fourth quartile (OR = 0.108, 95% CI = 0.019–0.613; P trend, 0.001). However, no significant association was observed between "Carbohydrate and cereals" and "Salty" dietary patterns and childhood allergies. The study findings suggest that a maternal dietary pattern rich in nuts, vegetables, and fruits during pregnancy may reduce the risk of allergic diseases in offspring.

Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Allergic Diseases in Pregnant Women and Infant

In Westernized nations, there has been a notable rise in the incidence of allergic diseases, which has been associated with a shortage serving of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) in diet. Supplementing with fish oil during pregnancy is being considered as a potential method to prevent allergic diseases in offspring. It may also help modulate allergic inflammation in pregnant women by influencing the synthesis of associated inflammatory mediators. The potential biological mechanisms underlying the allergic response in pregnant women and the potential protection provided to offspring through maternal supplementation of n-3 PUFAs are complex but crucial for understanding medical interventions and trial settings. The objective of this paper is to summarize the proposed mechanisms of allergic response and the anti-inflammatory pathways executed by n-3 PUFAs in both pregnant women and their offspring, drawing from important research findings. However, the efficacy of early intervention in infants through neonatal absorption of n-3 PUFAs is still unclear. The results suggest that n-3 PUFAs-induced protection covers a wide range of allergens, including those from food, house dust, and pets, as well as asthma. Conversely, the consumption of fish oil during childhood appears to have an insignificant effect on immunological disorders.

Maternal gestational diabetes mellitus and risk of allergic diseases in offspring

BackgroundGestational diabetes mellitus has been linked to inflammation, immune dysregulation in offspring, and changes in the microbiota. It may have long-term implications for the health of children. The aim of this study was to determine if gestational diabetes mellitus increases the risk of allergic diseases in offspring. MethodsThe data source was the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. The pairing of mothers and children was established by connecting the NHIRD with the Taiwan Maternal and Child Health Database. First-time pregnant mothers between 2004 and 2019 were enrolled. The GDM group consisted of 22,741 cases. The control group was selected from individuals without GDM matched by maternal age, neonatal gender, and neonatal birthdate at a ratio of 1–4. The primary endpoint was the incidence of childhood allergic diseases, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and urticaria. The secondary endpoint was the risk associated with the development of allergic diseases in offspring, considering the presence or absence of insulin therapy. ResultsThe development of allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and urticaria were found to be significantly associated with GDM. However, no significant association was observed between GDM and asthma. GDM control without insulin was associated with an increased risk of developing allergic rhinitis, urticaria, and atopic dermatitis. However, in the group receiving insulin treatment, there was no significant elevation in the risk of any allergic diseases. ConclusionGDM may elevate the risk of certain atopic diseases in offspring, such as allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and urticaria.

Maternal gestational diabetes mellitus and the childhood asthma in offspring: a meta-analysis

BackgroundMaternal diabetes might be related to a high risk of allergic disease in offspring. However, it remains unknown if maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is also associated with a high incidence of childhood asthma in offspring. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to investigate the above association.MethodsRelevant observational studies were obtained by search of electronic databases including Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. A randomized-effects model was selected to pool the data by incorporating the influence of potential heterogeneity. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for study quality evaluation. Subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the potential influences of study characteristics on the outcome.ResultsTen datasets from seven moderate to high quality cohort studies, involving 523,047 mother-child pairs were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, maternal GDM was associated with a higher risk of childhood asthma in offspring (risk ratio [RR]: 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07 to 1.39, p = 0.003; I2 = 30%). Subgroup analyses showed that the association was not significantly affected by study design, validation methods for GDM, or diagnostic strategy for asthma (p for subgroup analyses all > 0.05). The association between maternal GDM and asthma in offspring was more remarkable after adjusting maternal body mass index in early pregnancy (RR: 1.50 versus 1.06, p < 0.001), but significantly weakened after adjusting hypertensive disorders during pregnancy (RR: 1.08 versus 1.50, p = 0.001).ConclusionsMaternal GDM may be associated with an increased incidence of childhood asthma in offspring.

Association of prenatal obesity and cord blood cytokine levels with allergic diseases in children: A 10-year follow-up cohort study

Background and aimAlthough studies have associated elevated prenatal obesity with increased risk of various diseases in offspring, little is known regarding the immune system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between prenatal obesity and levels of cytokines in umbilical cord blood and development of allergic disease during the first 10 years of life in an offspring. MethodsA cohort of term infants born at the ShaoXing Women and Children Hospitals in China in 2011 was enrolled in this study. Flow cytometry was performed to measure levels of various cord blood cytokines, namely IL1β, IL2, IL10, IL6, IL8, IL17, IL12, TNF-α and IFN-γ. Next, logistic regression was used to explore the association of prenatal BMI with the development of allergic disease. The relationship between levels of each cord blood cytokine with prenatal BMI, and allergic disease development was tested using linear and logistic regression analyses, respectively. ResultsAfter 10 years of follow-up, higher prenatal BMI was significantly associated with development of allergic disease in children (HR = 2.45, 95% CI:1.08–5.57, P = 0.033). We also adjusted for maternal age, education and infant gender, and found that prenatal BMI was significantly associated with higher levels of IL12 (P = 0.023) and IL1β (P = 0.049) in cord blood. Moreover, we adjusted for maternal age, education, allergic dermatitis, gestation age and infant gender, and found that increase in each unit (1.26 pg/ml) in IL17 was associated with a 55.5% higher risk of allergic disease in 10-year-old children (HR = 1.55, 95%Cl: 0.99–2.45, P = 0.056). Meanwhile, after adjusting for maternal age, education level, gestation age, prenatal BMI, gestational weight gain, infant gender and birthweight, we found that for every unit increase in IL10, IL6 and IL1β, the risk of overweight/obesity in children after 10-year follow-up increased by 18.7% (HR = 1.19, 95%Cl: 1.01–1.40, P = 0.042), 13.9% (HR = 1.14, 95%Cl: 1.02–1.27, P = 0.021) and 41.3% (HR = 1.41, 95%Cl: 1.02–1.95, P = 0.036), respectively. ConclusionsPrenatal obesity was positively correlated with allergic diseases in offspring. Cord blood cytokine may play mediating roles in the associations of prenatal obesity with offspring allergic diseases.

Maternal Dietary Zinc Intake during Pregnancy and Childhood Allergic Diseases up to Four Years: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Maternal dietary zinc intake and childhood allergy have inconsistent relationships. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of low maternal dietary zinc intake during pregnancy on developing pediatric allergic diseases. This study was designed using the Japan Environment and Children's Study dataset. The model building used data from 74,948 mother-child pairs. Maternal dietary zinc intake was estimated based on the food frequency questionnaire, collecting the intake information of 171 food and beverage items. Fitted logistic regression models and generalized estimating equation models (GEEs) estimated the association between energy-adjusted zinc intake and childhood allergic conditions. The energy-adjusted zinc intake did not affect the risk of developing allergic disorders (wheeze, asthma, atopic dermatitis, rhinitis, and food allergy) in offspring. The GEE model revealed similar insignificant odds ratios. No significant association was found between zinc intake during pregnancy and allergic diseases in offspring in early childhood. Further study remains necessary to examine the association between zinc and allergy with reliable zinc status biomarkers in the body.

Association between maternal gestational diabetes and allergic diseases in offspring: a birth cohort study.

Previous studies have linked gestational diabetes (GDM) with allergies in offspring. However, the effect of specific glucose metabolism metrics was not well characterized, and the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), a modifier of metabolism and the immune system, was understudied. We aimed to investigate the association between maternal GDM and allergic diseases in children and the interaction between glucose metabolism and PUFAs on allergic outcomes. This prospective cohort study included 706 mother-child dyads from Guangzhou, China. Maternal GDM was diagnosed via a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and dietary PUFAs were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Allergic disease diagnoses and the age of onset were obtained from medical records of children within threeyears old. Approximately 19.4% of women had GDM, and 51.3% of children had any allergic diseases. GDM was positively associated with any allergic diseases (hazard ratio [HR] 1.40; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.88) and eczema (HR 1.44; 95% CI 1.02-1.97). A unit increase in OGTT after two hours (OGTT-2h) glucose was associated with an 11% (95% CI 2%-21%) higher risk of any allergic diseases and a 17% (95% CI 1-36%) higher risk of food allergy. The positive associations between OGTT-2h glucose and any allergic diseases were strengthened with decreased dietary a-linolenic acid (ALA) and increasedn-6 PUFAs, linoleic acid (LA), LA/ALA ratio, andn-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. Maternal GDM was adversely associated with early-life allergic diseases, especially eczema. We were the first to identify OGTT-2h glucose to be more sensitive in inducing allergy risk and that dietary PUFAs might modify the associations.

Patterns of maternal gestational weight gain in association with allergic diseases in offspring: A prospective cohort study.

To evaluate the association between patterns of gestational weight gain (GWG) and allergic diseases in offspring. Prospective cohort study. Prenatal clinics in Wuhan, China. A cohort of 2546 mother and offspring pairs were enrolled before 16 weeks of gestation and followed up to 24 months postpartum. Maternal body weights were measured regularly during pregnancy, and their GWG patterns were estimated using the growth mixture model. Robust Poisson models were used to evaluate relative risk (RR) and 95%CI after multivariable adjustment. Offspring atopic allergy and allergic contact dermatitis were defined according to a physician's diagnosis reported by the mother, and food allergy was reported by the mother. Three GWG patterns were identified: 18.1% (461) of the women were described as pattern1, characterised by rapid GWG earlier in pregnancy; 56.6% (1442) of the women were described as pattern2, with steady GWG throughout pregnancy; and 25.3% (643) of the women was described as pattern3, with rapid GWG later in pregnancy. By the age of 24 months, 360 (14.1%), 109 (4.3%) and 757 (29.7%) offspring had atopic allergy, allergic contact dermatitis or food allergy, respectively. Compared with women in GWG pattern2, the RRs (95%CIs) among women in pattern1 were 0.74 (0.55-0.99) for atopic allergy, 0.64 (0.36-1.15) for allergic contact dermatitis and 0.95 (0.81-1.12) for food allergy. Maternal GWG pattern characterised by rapid GWG earlier in pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of atopic allergy in offspring.

Prenatal and Infant Exposure to Acid-Suppressive Medications and Risk of Allergic Diseases in Children

Existing observational data have indicated positive associations of acid-suppressive medication (ASM) use in prenatal and early life with allergic diseases in children; however, no study to date has accounted for confounding by indication or within-familial factors. To evaluate the association of prenatal or infant exposure to ASMs with risk of allergic diseases in children. This nationwide, cohort study included data from South Korea's National Health Insurance Service mother-child-linked database from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2020. Participants included mother-child pairs of neonates born from April 1, 2008, to December 31, 2019. Prenatal and infant exposure to ASMs (histamine 2 receptor antagonists [H2RAs] and proton pump inhibitors [PPIs]). Composite and individual outcomes of allergic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and food allergy) in children (followed up to 13 years of age) were assessed. The ASM-exposed individuals were compared with unexposed individuals in propensity score (PS)-matched and sibling-matched analyses to control for various potential confounders and within-familial factors. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. The study included 4 149 257 mother-child pairs. Prenatal exposure analyses included 808 067 PS-matched pairs (763 755 received H2RAs, 36 529 received PPIs) among women with a mean (SD) age of 31.8 (4.2) years. The PS-matched HR was 1.01 (95% CI, 1.01-1.02) for allergic diseases overall (asthma: HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 1.01-1.03]; allergic rhinitis: HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 1.01-1.02]; atopic dermatitis: HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 1.01-1.02]; food allergy: HR, 1.03 [95% CI, 0.98-1.07]); in sibling-matched analyses, the HRs were similar to those of PS-matched analyses but were not significant (allergic diseases: HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.997-1.01). Infant exposure analyses included 84 263 PS-matched pairs (74 188 received H2RAs, 7496 received PPIs). The PS-matched HR was 1.06 (95% CI, 1.05-1.07) for allergic diseases overall (asthma: HR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.14-1.18]; allergic rhinitis: HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 1.01-1.03]; atopic dermatitis: HR, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.02-1.08]; food allergy: HR, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.10-1.49]); asthma risk (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.09-1.17) remained significantly higher among children exposed to ASMs during infancy in sibling-matched analyses. The findings were similar for H2RAs and PPIs analyzed separately and were robust across all sensitivity analyses. The findings of this cohort study suggest that there is no association between prenatal exposure to ASMs and allergic diseases in offspring. However, infant exposure to ASMs was associated with a higher risk of developing asthma, although the magnitude was more modest than previously reported. Clinicians should carefully weigh the benefits of prescribing ASMs to children, accompanied by subsequent close monitoring for any clinically relevant safety signals.

075 Early life exposure to antibiotics and laxatives in relation to infantile atopic eczema

Evidence that prenatal use of microbiome altering medications (such antibiotics and laxatives) impact offspring risk of atopic eczema is inconsistent, with recent evidence showing an increased risk of allergic disease in offspring whose mother used laxatives in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to examine whether maternal gestational exposure to antibiotics and laxatives were associated with the risk of atopic eczema in infancy. We also examined the link between offspring antibiotics in the first 12 months of life and risk of infantile atopic eczema.

Association between Maternal Vitamin D Intake and Infant Allergies: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Maternal nutrition during pregnancy is one of the factors affecting the health of offspring. There are conflicting findings about the association between maternal vitamin D status and the development of allergic diseases in offspring. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between maternal vitamin D intake and the development of allergic diseases in offspring at 1 y of age. From an ongoing nationwide birth cohort study (the Japan Environment and Children's Study), we obtained information on maternal vitamin D intake, determined by a food frequency questionnaire, and parent-reported physician-diagnosed allergic diseases in offspring at 1 y of age. From the full dataset of 103,062 pregnancies, we analyzed complete data for 82,592 mother-offspring pairs. The prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma, food allergy, and atopic dermatitis in the children was 2.5%, 6.6%, and 4.3%, respectively. The mean (± standard deviation) maternal vitamin D intake was 4.7±4.7 μg/d, which is much lower than the recommended amount in Japan (7 μg/d). After adjustment for various covariates, the odds ratios were significantly higher for asthma in the 2nd quintile and for food allergies in the 3rd and 4th quintiles compared with the 1st quintile. However, there were no clear associations between maternal vitamin D intake and the development of allergic diseases in offspring at 1 y of age, even in a large nation-wide cohort study. Protective effects of vitamin D supplementation remain unclear.

Effects of Maternal Diet during Pregnancy or Lactation on the Development or Prevention of Allergic Diseases in Offspring

The increasing prevalence of allergic diseases in the past decades has been caused by environmental rather than genetic factors. Recent research has focused on the relationship between the mother’s environmental exposure, especially during pregnancy, and allergic outcomes in the offspring. Intervention studies to prevent allergic diseases have also been conducted. Environmental factors, such as diet induce changes in the mother's intestinal flora, and the signals generated have a permanent effect on the fetal immune development through an epigenetic mechanism, which may be involved in disease development. This review outlines whether dietary patterns in mothers are related to allergic diseases, and it summarizes whether supplementation with micronutrients, such as omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin D, and folic acid can prevent allergic diseases. Studies have found that a westernized diet is associated with an increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases; however, intervention studies conducted with micronutrients or probiotics do not provide clear results regarding its preventive effect. A mother’s diet during pregnancy or lactation may affect the health of the child. Well-designed intervention studies are warranted to attempt to prevent allergic diseases. Consequently, good dietary patterns based on high-quality evidence are recommended for pregnant and lactating mothers.

Prenatal occupational disinfectant exposure and childhood allergies: the Japan Environment and Children’s study

BackgroundDisinfectants are widely used in the medical field, particularly recently because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to an increase in their use by both medical professionals and the...

Dissemination of atopic dermatitis and food allergy information to pregnant women in an online childbirth preparation class.

Evidence-based allergy prevention strategies have been reported, but strategies for dissemination have not been evaluated. Improving health literacy and awareness of allergies in pregnant mothers is 1 example of dissemination and implementation science that could help prevent allergic diseases and promote early detection of allergic diseases in children. We evaluated the usefulness of an online childbirth preparation class about prevention and early detection of allergic diseases in offspring. From January 2021 to August 2021, an online allergy class for pregnant mothers was provided at the hospital in Tokyo. We conducted an online survey about allergy topics before and after the online childbirth preparation class. A total of 106 pregnant women attended the online allergy class, and 92 (86.8%) responded to the online survey. Of the respondents, 90 (97.8%) were worried about the development of allergies in their children. The topic that attracted the most attention in the lecture was the prevention of atopic dermatitis by means of skin care. The percentages of correct responses regarding allergy prevention strategies increased after the class. All mothers believed that the class was useful, the information should be disseminated to the public, and the practices should be implemented. In online childbirth preparation classes, information about allergy based on dissemination and implementation science could strengthen allergy literacy among pregnant women.

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

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.

Incidence and timing of offspring asthma, wheeze, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and food allergy and association with maternal history of asthma and allergic rhinitis

BackgroundStudying the developmental precursors of allergy may help explain the mechanisms (or etiology) of allergic disease. We studied childhood respiratory and allergic diseases in a pre-birth cohort from the United States.ObjectiveWe assessed the associations between maternal history of asthma and the development of respiratory and allergic diseases in offspring. We also assessed associations with maternal history of allergic rhinitis.MethodsMaternal history of asthma and allergic rhinitis was self-reported during early pregnancy. Offspring respiratory and allergy information was obtained from electronic medical records. Adjusted Cox proportional hazard models assessed the associations between maternal history of asthma and development of respiratory and allergic diseases in the offspring up to 8 years. A similar approach was used for maternal history of allergic rhinitis.ResultsChildren born to women with a history of asthma had a 77% greater risk of developing asthma, a 45% greater risk of atopic dermatitis/eczema, and a 65% greater risk of wheeze (all p < 0.01), but no significantly increased risk of allergic rhinitis or food allergies, compared to children born to women with no history of asthma. Maternal history of allergic rhinitis was not associated with any child allergy outcome, and maternal history of both asthma and allergic rhinitis was associated with child atopic dermatitis/eczema only.ConclusionsMaternal history of asthma was significantly associated with offspring respiratory and allergic diagnoses. The association between maternal history of asthma and offspring asthma and atopic dermatitis is a novel finding. Our findings may guide physicians who counsel families with a history of maternal asthma and allergic rhinitis about their child's risk of developing respiratory and allergic diseases.