Mom’s High Omega-6 Diet Increases Eczema Risk in Their Infants
Bottomline: Pregnant women who ate the highest amount of omega-6 polyunsaturated fats, resulted in a higher risk of childhood eczema for their infants. Thorax. Online First: 3 June 2009
Background: Polyunsaturated fatty acids and their derivatives can influence the antenatal immune responses, including the balance of the cytokines TH1 and TH2. A German cohort study showed significant positive associations of maternal intake of margarine and vegetable oils during pregnancy with the risk of eczema during the first two years in children. (The great majority of margarines and vegetables are high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fats).
Study: Data from the 16- to 24-month follow-up of the Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study (OMCHS), involving 763 mother-child pairs was analyzed for the relation between maternal intake of fatty acids, cholesterol, meat, and fish during pregnancy and the risk of wheeze and eczema in infants in Japan.
The diagnosis for wheeze and eczema met the criteria of International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Of the 763 infants 169 (22.1%) and 142 (18.6%) had symptoms of wheeze and eczema based on the ISAAC criteria, respectively.
Maternal intake of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid during pregnancy in the highest quartile was independently associated with an increased risk of infantile eczema, showing clear inverse exposure-response relationships.
Study Quote: “Our results suggest that maternal intake of α-linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid during pregnancy may be preventive against infantile wheeze whereas maternal intake of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic acid, during pregnancy may increase the risk of childhood eczema.”
Link to Study:
Miyake Y et al.
Maternal fat consumption during pregnancy and risk of wheeze and eczema in Japanese infants aged 16-24 months: The Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study. Thorax. Published Online First: 3 June 2009. doi:10.1136/thx.2009.115931
The diagnosis for wheeze and eczema met the criteria of International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Of the 763 infants 169 (22.1%) and 142 (18.6%) had symptoms of wheeze and eczema based on the ISAAC criteria, respectively.
Maternal intake of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid during pregnancy in the highest quartile was independently associated with an increased risk of infantile eczema, showing clear inverse exposure-response relationships.
Study Quote: “Our results suggest that maternal intake of α-linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid during pregnancy may be preventive against infantile wheeze whereas maternal intake of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic acid, during pregnancy may increase the risk of childhood eczema.”
Link to Study:
Miyake Y et al.
Maternal fat consumption during pregnancy and risk of wheeze and eczema in Japanese infants aged 16-24 months: The Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study. Thorax. Published Online First: 3 June 2009. doi:10.1136/thx.2009.115931
Posted by Evelyn Tribole MSRD at June 21, 2009 12:29 PM 
Categories: Nutrition, Linoleic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, 2009 Studies, polyunsaturated fatty acids, DHA, Omega-6 Fat, Abstract, Food
Categories: Nutrition, Linoleic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, 2009 Studies, polyunsaturated fatty acids, DHA, Omega-6 Fat, Abstract, Food
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