Health · Medical Research · 6 hrs ago
Maternal diet quality linked to infant colic and eczema
A study linked maternal diet quality during pregnancy with infant colic and eczema.
Researchers followed 2,128 mother-child pairs, with diet questionnaires completed early and midway through pregnancy; 1,324 pairs had data for the analysis.
A higher Mediterranean diet score was associated with lower odds of colic and eczema together, while a higher score on an index of dietary inflammation was associated with higher odds.
Seafood intake was linked to lower odds of both conditions together, while nut intake was linked to higher odds of colic alone.
The diet scores were not associated with eczema or colic when each condition was considered separately, and the findings show associations, not proof that diet caused the conditions.
The researchers said the findings support a healthy, balanced diet in pregnancy, with particular emphasis on seafood.
A study found that poorer maternal diet quality was associated with higher odds of infants having both colic and eczema.
The researchers analysed data from 1,324 mother-infant pairs in a prospective cohort.
Higher Mediterranean Diet Scores were associated with lower odds of having both conditions, while higher Dietary Inflammatory Index scores were associated with higher odds.
Seafood consumption was associated with lower odds of colic and eczema together.
The study did not find an association between either diet score and colic or eczema considered separately.
- Who
- Researchers led by Emily Oken of Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute.
- What
- The study examined links between maternal diet quality and infant colic and eczema.
- When
- The study was published online on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- The study examined a cohort of mother-infant pairs; the researchers were based in Boston.
- Why
- The researchers investigated whether maternal diet quality and consumption of allergenic foods were associated with infant colic and eczema.
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- Study cohort
- 2,128 mother-infant pairs
- Pairs with exposure and outcome data
- 1,324
- Infants with eczema only
- 11.5%
- Infants with colic only
- 20.6%
- Infants with both conditions
- 4.6%
What people are saying
Nuestros hallazgos proporcionan otra razón más para ayudar a las mujeres embarazadas a lograr una dieta saludable y equilibrada, con un énfasis particular en el consumo de mariscos.