Abstract:Objectives: To investigate the relationship between maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation and development of atopic disorders in childhood.
Methods:We included studies published up to August 2011 which either assessed food-based maternal dietary interventions or examined associations between maternal dietary intake during pregnancy and/or lactation and allergic outcomes (eczema, asthma, hay fever and sensitization) in their children.
Results:We included 43 studies (over 40 000 children): 11 intervention studies (including seven RCTs), 27 prospective cohort studies, four retrospective cohort studies and one case-control study.In the RCTs, no significant difference was noted overall in the prevalence of eczema and asthma in the offspring of women on diets free from common food allergens during pregnancy. The prospective cohorts investigated a large number of potential associations, but reported few significant associations between maternal dietary intake and development of allergy. Maternal diets rich in fruits and vegetables, fish and foods containing vitamin D and 'Mediterranean' dietary patterns were among the few consistent associations with lower risk of allergic disease in their children. Foods associated with higher risk included vegetable oils and margarine, nuts and fast food.
Conclusion:This review did not find widespread or consistent links between mother's dietary intake and atopic outcomes in their children. However, maternal consumption of 'Mediterranean' dietary patterns, diets rich in fruits and vegetables, fish and vitamin D containing foods were suggestive of benefit, requiring further evaluation.