MATERNAL diet and environment in pregnancy may influence allergies in children, despite guidelines claiming that diet during the prenatal period has little to no effect on food allergy symptom development in early infancy. New research conducted by Sara Manti, University of Messina, Italy, and team has demonstrated that environmental exposures in utero can indeed cause epigenetic alterations that may impact the infant’s immune system, and their ability to tolerate certain foods.
In order to analyse the impact of maternal variables on food allergy prevention in offspring, the researchers evaluated meta-analyses, randomised controlled trials, observational studies, evidence-based recommendations, and reviews. Additionally, they aimed to investigate the use of prebiotics, probiotics, or symbiotics amongst pregnant females, and the effect on food allergies.
The team found that environmental variables and allergen exposure during pregnancy affect the body in different ways, leading to different allergic propensity effects. Studies have linked factors, such as exposure to cigarette smoke and traffic smoke particles, to altered epigenetic structure, which may go on to affect a child’s tolerances. Maternal stress has also been linked to higher risk of food allergy development, as well as atopic dermatitis and respiratory allergy. Moreover, maternal diets heavy in trans fats and sweets were related to an increased food allergy risk in some offspring. A balanced Mediterranean diet is recommended, in order to reduce the risk of food allergies in offspring. Furthermore, there is little evidence to support the use of vitamin supplements, prebiotics, probiotics, and symbiotics to reduce food allergy risk, other than vitamin D supplements for females with a vitamin D deficiency.
Manti and colleagues concluded that although there is currently little official guidance regarding the effects of maternal nutrition on the food allergies of offspring, a balanced diet is likely to reduce the risk, and avoiding allergens in the prenatal period does not reduce the risk. More research is required to fully understand the effects of maternal factors on infant food allergies; however, the current theory is that combined maternal treatments, nursing, and early food introduction may lower the likelihood of food allergies.
