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The maternal diet index in pregnancy is associated with offspring allergic diseases: the Healthy Start study
Author(s) -
Venter Carina,
Palumbo Michaela P.,
Glueck Deborah H.,
Sauder Katherine A.,
O'Mahony Liam,
Fleischer David M.,
BenAbdallah Miriam,
Ringham Brandy M.,
Dabelea Dana
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/all.14949
Subject(s) - offspring , medicine , pregnancy , asthma , allergy , odds ratio , food allergy , wheeze , atopic dermatitis , immunology , biology , genetics
Background A systematic review showed limited associations between pregnancy diet and offspring allergy. We developed a maternal diet index during pregnancy that was associated with offspring allergy outcomes. Methods Data came from Healthy Start, a Colorado pre‐birth cohort of mother/offspring dyads. Food propensity questionnaires were completed during pregnancy. Offspring allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, asthma, wheeze, and food allergy diagnosis up to age four were verified from electronic medical records. Data were randomized into test and replication sets. The index included the weighted combination of variables that best predicted a combined outcome of any allergy in the test set. Index utility was verified in the replication set. Separate adjusted and unadjusted logistic models estimated associations between the index and each offspring allergy diagnosis in the full sample. Results The index included weighted measures of intake of vegetables, yogurt, fried potatoes, rice/grains, red meats, pure fruit juice, and cold cereals. Vegetables and yogurt were associated with the prevention of any allergy, while other components were associated with increased disease. In adjusted models, a one‐unit increase in the index was significantly associated with reduced odds of offspring allergic rhinitis (odds ratio (CI) 0.82 [0.72–0.94]), atopic dermatitis (0.77 [0.69–0.86]), asthma (0.84 [0.74–0.96]), and wheeze (0.80 [0.71–0.90]), but not food allergy (0.84 [0.66–1.08]). Conclusions This is the first study that has shown associations between an index of maternal dietary intake during pregnancy and multiple offspring allergic diseases. The results give hope for prevention of allergic diseases in utero .