Common Colds During Pregnancy Could Increase Risk of Childhood Asthma

According to a study published today in this month's issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, a child may be at a greater risk of being born with asthma if the mother suffers common colds and viral infections during the pregnancy.

The study found that a pregnant mother's exposure to infections and bacteria can affect the in utero environment, which can increase the baby's risk of developing asthma or other allergies in their childhood.

The researchers studied 513 pregnant women in Germany and their 526 children. The women completed questionnaires during pregnancy, when their child was three and 12 months old and then every year until the child was five years old. Out of all the families that were studied, 61 percent had a parent with asthma, hay fever or atopic dermatitis.

Furthermore, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) determined that asthma and allergy can also be hereditary. They found that the child has a 75 percent chance of being allergic if both of the parents have allergies compared to a 30 to 40 percent chance if one parent or a close relative has allergies. The risk lowers to 10 to 15 percent if neither parent has an allergy.

According to the ACAAI, asthma is the most common "potentially serious" medical condition to complicate pregnancy and affects eight percent of women in their childbearing years.

"We know that allergy and asthma can develop in the womb since genetics play a factor in both diseases," said allergist Michael Foggs, MD, ACAAI president, in this EurekAlert! article. "But this study sheds light about how a mother's environment during pregnancy can begin affecting the child before birth."

Women should speak with their board-certified allergist when they begin to plan on becoming pregnant in order to take numerous precautions in hopes of preventing allergies in their children.

To read more about pregnancy and allergies, visit this EurekAlert! article.