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In the July issue of American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine researchers found "consistent positive associations" between the amount of nuts eaten during pregnancy, including peanuts, and respiratory symptoms (i.e. shortness of breath, wheezing) in their children through the first 8 years of age.
The study which took place at Utrecht University in the Netherlands interviewed over 4,000 pregnant women with and without a history of allergy and asthma.Daily ingestion of nuts in these women increased the likelihood that their child would have "wheezing" and shortness of breath, compared to those mothers who rarely consumed nuts.The researchers felt it was too soon to recommend a nut restricted diet during pregnancy, and agreed these results should be confirmed by future research.
I have generally adopted the practice of recommending that women with a strong history of asthma and allergic conditions (i.e. hives, food allergy, seasonal allergies, eczema) should consider a nut restriction during pregnancy.
Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine.He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. No information in this blog is intended to diagnose or treat any condition.
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