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Prenatal Diet and the Development of Childhood Allergic Diseases: Food for Thought

  • Food Allergy (T Green, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The development of allergic disease is shaped by genetics and the environment, including diet. Many studies suggest a role for maternal diet during pregnancy. In this article, we discuss potential mechanisms by which specific nutrients, particular foods, and dietary patterns may influence allergic disease development and review studies examining the relationship between prenatal diet and the risk of childhood allergy.

Recent Findings

The combination of in utero exposures and genetic predisposition may contribute to the development of allergic disease by altering immune and organ development. Inflammation predominates in the first and third trimesters whereas the second trimester is characterized by anti-inflammatory and Th2 immune responses. Maternal dietary exposures during pregnancy may interact with inherited genetic risk factors influence immune system development.

Summary

There are varied results regarding the impact of maternal prenatal diet on the development of childhood allergies. Well-designed randomized controlled studies are needed to clarify this area.

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Abbreviations

CRP:

C-reactive protein

DC:

Dendritic cells

FFQ:

Food frequency questionnaire

IgE:

Immunoglobulin E

IL:

Interleukin

IU:

International units

MHC:

Major histocompatibility complex

OVA:

Ovalbumin

RCT:

Randomized controlled trial

SPT:

Skin prick test

Th1:

T helper 1

Th2:

T helper 2

Treg:

T regulatory

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, Box 1498, New York, NY, 10029, USA

    Michele N. Pham & Supinda Bunyavanich

  2. Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA

    Supinda Bunyavanich

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  1. Michele N. Pham
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Pham, M.N., Bunyavanich, S. Prenatal Diet and the Development of Childhood Allergic Diseases: Food for Thought. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 18, 58 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-018-0811-9

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