Ming-Zhi Zhang1,2, Shan-Shan Chu3, Yan-Kai Xia1,2, Dan-Dan Wang3, Xu Wang4. 1. State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China. 2. Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China. 3. Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 72 Guangzhou Rd, Nanjing, 210008, China. 4. Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 72 Guangzhou Rd, Nanjing, 210008, China. sepnine@njmu.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Allergic diseases are one of the most common and important diseases that can exert hazardous effects on children's health. The prevalence of allergic diseases in childhood is gradually increasing all over the world in recent decades. Known causes of these diseases include anomalous immune responses and allergic inflammatory reactions, but the causes of allergic diseases in childhood are complex. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of Science were searched for articles focusing on environmental exposure during pregnancy and the risk of childhood allergic diseases, including asthma and atopic dermatitis, and the possible underlying mechanism. RESULTS: In terms of environmental factors, allergic diseases in childhood are closely related to environmental chemical exposure during pregnancy, including bisphenols, phthalates acid esters, perfluorochemicals, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and polychlorinated biphenyls. However, allergic diseases in childhood are also closely associated with maternal dietary nutrition, maternal intake of drugs, such as acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), paracetamol and antibiotics, and maternal lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: Several harmful environmental factors during pregnancy can result in the interruption of the function of helper T cells (Th1/Th2), cytokines and immunoglobulins and may activate allergic reactions, which can lead to allergic diseases during childhood.
BACKGROUND: Allergic diseases are one of the most common and important diseases that can exert hazardous effects on children's health. The prevalence of allergic diseases in childhood is gradually increasing all over the world in recent decades. Known causes of these diseases include anomalous immune responses and allergic inflammatory reactions, but the causes of allergic diseases in childhood are complex. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of Science were searched for articles focusing on environmental exposure during pregnancy and the risk of childhood allergic diseases, including asthma and atopic dermatitis, and the possible underlying mechanism. RESULTS: In terms of environmental factors, allergic diseases in childhood are closely related to environmental chemical exposure during pregnancy, including bisphenols, phthalates acid esters, perfluorochemicals, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and polychlorinated biphenyls. However, allergic diseases in childhood are also closely associated with maternal dietary nutrition, maternal intake of drugs, such as acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), paracetamol and antibiotics, and maternal lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: Several harmful environmental factors during pregnancy can result in the interruption of the function of helper T cells (Th1/Th2), cytokines and immunoglobulins and may activate allergic reactions, which can lead to allergic diseases during childhood.
Authors: Evanthia Diamanti-Kandarakis; Jean-Pierre Bourguignon; Linda C Giudice; Russ Hauser; Gail S Prins; Ana M Soto; R Thomas Zoeller; Andrea C Gore Journal: Endocr Rev Date: 2009-06 Impact factor: 19.871