Link between maternal food consumption and asthma and allergy in children

A study from the Department of Food and Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki, Finland, has explored the possibility that a mother’s diet during pregnancy may affect the development of allergic diseases in their children.

The researchers analysed data from 2441 children at the age of five. The maternal diet was assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire. The results showed that pregnant women who ate a diet low in leafy vegetables, certain fruits and chocolate had children with a higher risk of wheeze. Higher consumption of berry and fruit juices during pregnancy meant their children had a higher risk of allergic rhinitis. There were no associations made between maternal food consumption and asthma risks.

Source: The Journal of Paediatric Allergy and Immunology

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First Published in March 2012

 

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