Prenatal Maternal Distress and Allergic Diseases in Offspring: Review of Evidence and Possible Pathways.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies have suggested a close association between prenatal maternal distress and allergic diseases in the offspring. We selected relevant birth-cohort or national registry studies using a keyword search of the PubMed database and summarized current evidence on the impact of prenatal maternal distress on the development of offspring's allergic diseases. Moreover, we postulated possible pathways linking prenatal distress and allergic diseases based on relevant human and animal studies. Both dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and increased oxidative stress may cause structural (altered brain/lung development) and functional (skewed immune development) changes, which may predispose the fetus to developing allergic diseases during childhood. Although many facts are yet to

SUBMITTER: Suh DI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5352571 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature