Does allergy begin in utero?

Abstract

It has been recognized for centuries that allergic disease runs in families, implying a role for genetic factors in determining individual susceptibility. More recently, a range of evidence shows that many of these genetic factors, together with in utero environmental exposures, lead to the development of allergic disease through altered immune and organ development. Environmental exposures during pregnancy including diet, nutrient intake and toxin exposures can alter the epigenome and interact with inherited genetic and epigenetic risk factors to directly and indirectly influence organ development and immune programming. Understanding of these factors will be essential in identifying at-risk individuals and possible development of therapeutic interventions for the primary prevention of allergic disease. In this review, we summarize the evidence that suggests allergic disease begins in utero, together with possible mechanisms for the effect of environmental exposures during pregnancy on allergic disease risk, including epigenetics.

Food allergy and atopic dermatitis: Prediction, progression, and prevention

“…This is suspected to be involved in the allergy epidemic, as n‐3 LCPUFAs have anti‐inflammatory effects, in contrast with n‐6 LCPUFAs. However, contrasting data have been reported on the role of fish intake and n‐3 LCPUFAs during pregnancy on the development of AD and FA …”

“…Furthermore, an altered immune response is involved in both FA and AD. The immune deviation has an important genetic component, even if the recent increase of FA and AD suggests that is mainly due to changes in epigenome driven by environmental exposure . Environmental factors possibly involved comprise: (i) reduced exposure to beneficial microbes and bacterial metabolic products, as result of urban living in Western lifestyle (“hygiene hypothesis”); (ii) routes and burden of food allergen exposure; (iii) changes in diet (obesity); and (iv) nutrients.…”

Asthma and allergic rhinitis in childhood: what's new

“…Genetic factors and in utero and after‐birth environmental exposures lead to the increase in asthma and AR through altered immune and organ development and imbalance in innate and adaptive immunity . Hereditability varies from 35% to 95% for asthma and from 33% to 91% for AR.…”

The National Program for Optimization of Provision with Vitamins and Minerals of Children in Russia. Summary Review of the Document

“…Питание матери во время беременности, и риск развития аллергических заболеваний у детей Развитие иммунной системы и формирование ато-пического фенотипа ребенка происходят уже во внутри-утробном периоде развития под влиянием генетических и средовых факторов [54]. Для формирования собствен-ной иммунной системы ребенок нуждается не только в достаточном количестве макронутриентов, но и должен быть обеспечен витаминами.…”