Influence and Mechanisms of Maternal and Infant Diets on the Development of Childhood Asthma

Perinatal nutrition has been implicated in the programming of diseases in children and adults. The prevalence of asthma has dramatically increased in the past few decades, particularly in children. This suggests that the perinatal environment, including maternal and infant diets, may be involved in the increase in the prevalence of asthma. Recent studies have demonstrated that certain maternal and infant diets have a protective or augmentative effect on the development of asthma. Maternal diets with higher vitamin D, vitamin E, or/and probiotics are related to asthma prevention. Infants with breast feeding for at least 4 months and/or complementary diets between 4 and 6 months may have regulatory effects on the prevention of asthma. In summary, diets may have epigenetic or immune regulatory effects on the promotion or prevention of asthma. This article analyzes recent reports on the potential mechanism and mechanism-driven early prevention of childhood asthma by modification of maternal and infant diets.