BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that n-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and may modulate immune response. Dietary intake of these nutrients during pregnancy could play a role in the risk of asthma and atopy in the offspring. METHODS: Using data from a cohort of women (n=462) enrolled during pregnancy and whose offspring were followed up to 6 years, we evaluated the impact of fish consumption during pregnancy on the incidence of atopy and asthma. Dietary intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire (42 items) applied by an interviewer. RESULTS: Thirty-four percent of infants had a medical diagnosis of eczema at age 1 year, 14.3% of the children were atopic [based on skin prick test (SPT) at 6 years], and 5.7% had atopic wheeze at age 6 years. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, fish intake during pregnancy was protective against the risk of eczema at age 1 year, a positive SPT for house dust mite at age 6 years and atopic wheeze at age 6 years [odds ratio (OR)=0.73 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55-0.98, OR=0.68, 95% CI 0.46-1.01 and OR=0.55, 95% CI 0.31-0.96, respectively]. For an increase in fish intake from once per week to 2.5 times per week, the risk of eczema at age 1 year decreased by 37%, and the risk of positive SPT at age 6 years by 35%. Stratification by breastfeeding showed that fish intake was significantly related to a decrease risk in persistent wheeze among non-breastfed children (P for interaction<0.05). No protective effect was observed among breastfed children. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest a protective effect of fish intake during pregnancy on the risk of atopy-related outcomes.
BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that n-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and may modulate immune response. Dietary intake of these nutrients during pregnancy could play a role in the risk of asthma and atopy in the offspring. METHODS: Using data from a cohort of women (n=462) enrolled during pregnancy and whose offspring were followed up to 6 years, we evaluated the impact of fish consumption during pregnancy on the incidence of atopy and asthma. Dietary intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire (42 items) applied by an interviewer. RESULTS: Thirty-four percent of infants had a medical diagnosis of eczema at age 1 year, 14.3% of the children were atopic [based on skin prick test (SPT) at 6 years], and 5.7% had atopic wheeze at age 6 years. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, fish intake during pregnancy was protective against the risk of eczema at age 1 year, a positive SPT for house dust mite at age 6 years and atopic wheeze at age 6 years [odds ratio (OR)=0.73 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55-0.98, OR=0.68, 95% CI 0.46-1.01 and OR=0.55, 95% CI 0.31-0.96, respectively]. For an increase in fish intake from once per week to 2.5 times per week, the risk of eczema at age 1 year decreased by 37%, and the risk of positive SPT at age 6 years by 35%. Stratification by breastfeeding showed that fish intake was significantly related to a decrease risk in persistent wheeze among non-breastfed children (P for interaction<0.05). No protective effect was observed among breastfed children. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest a protective effect of fish intake during pregnancy on the risk of atopy-related outcomes.
Authors: H W Chu; C M Lloyd; W Karmaus; P Maestrelli; P Mason; G Salcedo; J Thaikoottathil; A J Wardlaw Journal: Clin Exp Allergy Date: 2010-11 Impact factor: 5.018
Authors: Nikos Stratakis; Theano Roumeliotaki; Emily Oken; Ferran Ballester; Henrique Barros; Mikel Basterrechea; Sylvaine Cordier; Renate de Groot; Herman T den Dekker; Liesbeth Duijts; Merete Eggesbø; Maria Pia Fantini; Francesco Forastiere; Ulrike Gehring; Marij Gielen; Davide Gori; Eva Govarts; Hazel M Inskip; Nina Iszatt; Maria Jansen; Cecily Kelleher; John Mehegan; Carolina Moltó-Puigmartí; Monique Mommers; Andreia Oliveira; Sjurdur F Olsen; Fabienne Pelé; Costanza Pizzi; Daniela Porta; Lorenzo Richiardi; Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman; Sian M Robinson; Greet Schoeters; Marin Strøm; Jordi Sunyer; Carel Thijs; Martine Vrijheid; Tanja G M Vrijkotte; Alet H Wijga; Manolis Kogevinas; Maurice P Zeegers; Leda Chatzi Journal: Int J Epidemiol Date: 2017-10-01 Impact factor: 7.196
Authors: Lefkothea-Stella Kremmyda; Maria Vlachava; Paul S Noakes; Norma D Diaper; Elizabeth A Miles; Philip C Calder Journal: Clin Rev Allergy Immunol Date: 2011-08 Impact factor: 8.667
Authors: Rodney D Britt; Arij Faksh; Elizabeth Vogel; Richard J Martin; Christina M Pabelick; Y S Prakash Journal: Expert Rev Respir Med Date: 2013-10-03 Impact factor: 3.772