Does what a mother eats during pregnancy affect the development of asthma and other wheezing illnesses in her child?

We know that a mother's diet is important in her baby's development both before and after birth, yet we know very little about how her diet might impact on her child's chances of developing asthma and other chest problems.

A survey of the eating habits of pregnant women was carried out in Southampton some years ago. This survey collected information about the mother's diet before and during pregnancy, and monitored the baby's growth using ultrasound techniques. Dr Roberts and his team aim to revisit 950 of these mothers now that their children are 6 years old, and will collect information about the children's lung health. This information will then be compared to the data collected about the mothers' diet before and during pregnancy. This will shed light on connections between a mother's diet and the chances of her child developing asthma. The findings can then be used to provide nutritional advice to pregnant women.

Amount awarded: £119,533
Relevant disease area(s): Asthma and other childhood wheezing illnesses
Relevant age group(s): Children