Maternal diet during pregnancy and allergic sensitization in the offspring by 5 yrs of age: 
a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Nwaru BI, Ahonen S, Kaila M, Erkkola M, Haapala A‐M, Kronberg‐Kippilä C, Veijola R, Ilonen J, Simell O, Knip M, Virtanen SM. Maternal diet during pregnancy and allergic sensitization in the offspring by 5 yrs of age: a prospective cohort study. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 29–37. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S To examine the effect of maternal diet during pregnancy on allergic sensitization in the offspring by 5 yrs of age. The Finnish type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention Nutrition Study. A population‐based cohort study with 5‐yr follow‐up. A total of 931 children with human leukocyte antigen‐conferred susceptibility to type 1 diabetes for whom maternal pregnancy food frequency questionnaire data and allergen‐specific immunoglobulin E measurement at 5 yrs were available. Increasing maternal consumption of citrus fruits [odds ratio (OR) = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05–1.25] and total fruit (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.09–1.70) were positively associated with sensitization to inhalant allergens, after adjustment for potential confounders. Maternal intake of vitamin D (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.35–0.91) was inversely associated with sensitization to food allergens. Maternal consumption of citrus fruits during pregnancy may increase the risk to allergic sensitization in the offspring, whereas vitamin D intake may have a beneficial effect. Further studies are required to define more closely the putative effect of maternal intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids on development of allergic diseases in the offspring.