Asthma strong dietary intake of vitamin E and zinc during pregnancy reduces the risk in children

Children whose mothers had significant dietary intake of vitamin E and zinc during pregnancy have a reduced risk of developing asthma risk five years, a British study suggests.

Previous studies have found a link between asthma and reduced nutrient intake with antioxidant properties, but trials evaluating a nutrient supplementation have not been conclusive, recall Graham Devereux and colleagues at the University of Aberdeen in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (AJRCCM).

The differences between epidemiological and interventional studies suggest that nutrients may play a role in the development of asthma, but during a critical period early in life, they assume.

The researchers then conducted a longitudinal cohort study, recruiting 2,000 pregnant women in the 12th week of gestation and 1861 according to their five children.

The nutritional status of mothers was assessed using a questionnaire on diet. They were also asked about any respiratory symptoms in their children and they have spent spirometry and allergy skin tests.

Various nutrients measured, only vitamin E and maternal zinc have been associated with asthma symptoms in children.

The analysis adjusted data (for age, atopy and maternal smoking, socio-educational level, weight and birth length, the order among siblings, breastfeeding, use of antibiotics ...) is generally show an inverse association between maternal vitamin E and zinc and the risk of asthma.

The researchers divided the consumption levels of vitamin E and zinc in five quintiles, taking the first quintile, the lowest reference.

The risk of asthma and wheezing in children aged five years during the past year was significantly reduced only in the fifth quintile of vitamin E feeding, 72% compared to the first quintile.

This risk was reduced by 53% for mothers whose zinc consumption was in the fourth quintile of zinc and 72% also for the fifth quintile compared with the first.

Detailed data reveals variations that researchers assess the risk of wheezing throughout the life of wheezing during the past year, asthma throughout life, or to asthma confirmed by a doctor.

Overall, these results suggest that an evaluation of the impact of a change in the mother's diet or supplementation during pregnancy on the risk of childhood asthma, the researchers conclude.

Continued follow-up of this cohort will determine whether the association between maternal diet and childhood asthma continues to persist, they add