Maternal Dietary Diversity Associated with Decreased Childhood Eczema Risk

Increased maternal dietary diversity during the pregnancy period is linked with decreased risk of developing atopic dermatitis during early childhood, according to new data.1

These findings regarding the potential modulation of the infant gut microbiome and consequent impacts on skin health were the result of a study conducted to evaluate associations between maternal dietary diversity and atopic dermatitis incidence.

Yang-Ching Chen, MD, PhD, from the School of Nutrition and Health Sciences at Taipei Medical University, functioned as the corresponding author of this analysis. Recent research was highlighted by Chen et al related to this subject, including prior data suggesting a link between the early microbial community in a baby's intestines and later development of allergies.2

“While maternal dietary diversity has been linked to lower allergy risk, its mechanisms remain unclear,” Chen and coauthors wrote.1 “This study examines the association between maternal dietary diversity and infant [atopic dermatitis] and explores whether the infant gut microbiome may mediate this relationship.”

Study Design Details

The investigative team used the Taipei Mother–Infant Nutrition Cohort to draw data for their research. This was a population-based study following 2337 mother–infant pairs. The Taipei Mother-Infant Nutrition Cohort was launched in July 2018 under a maternal nutrition promotion initiative, with women becoming involved during their second or third trimester.

These subjects were involved at several obstetric care sites across Taipei City as well as private community clinics. All of those involved as participants provided informed consent. Criteria for inclusion comprised infants with antibiotic or probiotic exposure, infants born before 28 weeks’ gestation, and infants with birth weights under 1500 g.

Chen and colleagues gathered maternal nutritional intake and pregnancy-related information in subjects' second and third trimesters. At 6 weeks postpartum, the investigative team documented infant birth outcomes as well as maternal weight. The infants were then followed from birth through 36 months of age and, at 2-months, stool samples obtained by the team for the purposes of gut microbiome profiling.

Chen et al utilized the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) framework to assess maternal dietary diversity. Infant gut microbiota at the 2-month mark was evaluated by the investigative team in relation to maternal diet. Incidence of atopic dermatitis in children was monitored through age 3.

Cox proportional hazards regression was applied by the team to estimate risk of developing atopic dermatitis, with adjustments being made for potential confounding variables. Comparisons included microbial relative abundances as well as alpha and beta diversity across strata of maternal dietary diversity.

Findings on Dietary Diversity Impact

Overall, Chen and coauthors determined that greater maternal dietary diversity was linked to a reduced risk of childhood atopic dermatitis. Although no significant differences were noted by the investigators in alpha or beta diversity of the infant gut microbiome, they did conclude that maternal dietary diversity appeared to shape microbial composition.

Specifically, the team found that increased abundances of Rothia and Parabacteroides genera were linked with a significantly diminished likelihood of infants developing atopic dermatitis. Moreover, higher relative levels of Parabacteroides were correlated with maternal consumption of vitamin A–rich fruits and vegetables during pregnancy.

“These findings suggest a potential link between maternal diet, the gut microbiome, and the development of allergic diseases in offspring,” Chen et al concluded.1 “Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and validate these observations in larger studies that address the limitations of this study.”

References

1. Huynh LBP, Fan H-Y, Chen Y-C, et al. Influence of maternal dietary diversity during pregnancy on infant atopic dermatitis: Exploring the microbiome link in a Taiwanese birth cohort. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2025; 36:e70200. doi:10.1111/pai.70200. Accessed September 11, 2025.

2. Renz H, Holt PG, Sly PD, et al. An exposome perspective: Early-life events and immune development in a changing world. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017 Jul;140(1):24-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.05.015. PMID: 28673401. Accessed September 11, 2025.