Pollen Exposure risks in pregnancy

New Swedish research is linking exposure to high levels of pollens in the last twelve weeks of pregnancy to increased risk of asthma.

Dr Bertill Forsberg of the University of Umea, Sweden studied over 110,000 babies and concluded that babies 'faced a three-fold increased risk of developing the illness before their first birthday' and that when the baby was born throughout the year made little difference either.

Further research conducted at Aberdeen University in Scotland found that women who ate nuts and fish during pregnancy also reduced the risk of childhood breathing problems by 25%. Researcher Sheelagh Fleming said "In parallel to air pollution and the role of allergens, the rapid increase of asthma and allergy cases registered in recent decades seems to be linked ever more closely with changes in dietary habits".

Friday, 4 October 2002