Epidemiological Study
Effect of maternal Th1/Th2 cytokines during pregnancy on allergic disease in preschool children
Liping Wu, Cai Chen, Yanyan Mao, Fei Qin, Wei Peng, Lili Zhang, Weijin Zhou, Lin Zhang, Min Li
Published 2020-01-25
Cite as Chin J Reprod Contracep, 2020, 40(1): 37-44. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.2096-2916.2020.0019
Abstract
ObjectiveTo explore the possible association between maternal helper T (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines during pregnancy and development of childhood allergic diseases (ADs).
MethodsProspective corhot study was performed. Healthy women with singleton pregnancy in gestational weeks 16-24 who were admitted to the obstetric clinic of Minle Maternal and Child Health Hospital were investigated from July 2011 to March 2012. Plasma cytokine levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, IL-4, and IL-10 were measured with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the second and the third trimester. In-home survey was conducted from September 2017 to May 2019 to investigate the feeding patterns and ADs of preschool children. Association analysis were performed by Poisson regression model.
ResultsAmongst 49 mother-child pairs, 9 (18.4%) preschool children were suffering or had suffered one or more allergic symptoms, including 4 cases of atopic dermatitis, 3 cases of allergic rhinitis, 1 case of asthma and 1 case of allergic rhinitis combined with asthma. Maternal plasma levels of IFN-γ (P=0.03) in the third trimester, IL-1β in the second and the third trimester (P=0.01, P=0.02) were significantly lower, and IL-18 in the third trimester was marginally lower (P=0.05) in ADs group compared with those in healthy group. Maternal decreased IFN-γ and IL-1β (<P33.33) during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester were associated with an increased risk of ADs in preschool children, with aRR 8.44 (95% CI=1.21-59.03) and 10.29 (95% CI=1.66-63.69) respectively, adjusted for breastfeeding length and family history of ADs.
ConclusionMaternal Th1 down-regulation during pregnancy may induce fetal immune unbalance, and increase the risk of ADs after birth.
Contributor Information
Liping Wu
Child Health Department, Minle Maternal and Child Health Hospital,Zhangye 734500, China
Cai Chen
Child Health Department, Minle Maternal and Child Health Hospital,Zhangye 734500, China
Yanyan Mao
NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Public Health School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
Fei Qin
NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Public Health School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
Wei Peng
Department of Hyperbaric Oxygen, Gansu General Team Hospital of Armed Polic, Lanzhou 730050, China
Lili Zhang
NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Public Health School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
Weijin Zhou
NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Public Health School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
Lin Zhang
Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
Min Li
NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Public Health School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
