CHEST Guidelines-Maternal-Distress-and-Allergic-Disease

Maternal-Distress-and-Allergic-Disease_chest

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The article explores the link between maternal psychological distress and the incidence of allergic diseases such as asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD) in early childhood. Due to urbanization, industrialization, and antibiotic use, exposure to pathogens linked to allergic diseases has been significantly altered, coinciding with a rise in asthma and atopic conditions especially among vulnerable communities. The authors identify various factors, including air pollution, antibiotics, and psychosocial stressors encountered during early development, that elevate the risks of these allergic conditions. <br /><br />The study cited involves a retrospective analysis of 12,587 children in Manitoba, Canada, examining the influence of maternal distress on developing asthma and AD. Maternal distress was measured through healthcare encounters or prescriptions for depression or anxiety extending from the prenatal period to five years postpartum. Findings show a significant association between prenatal, and either recurrent or late-onset maternal distress, and elevated risks of asthma and AD in children at age seven. The research highlights how maternal stress may upregulate the expression of "pro-allergic" phenotypes, impacting children's health.<br /><br />However, the study faced limitations regarding environmental and psychosocial confounders like tobacco exposure, socioeconomic status, and neighborhood conditions, which were difficult to control and might also influence these health outcomes. The paper suggests that maternal distress might have a comparable effect on allergic disease risk as other environmental stressors. <br /><br />The findings advocate for increased support for families during perinatal periods to potentially reduce parental stress and mitigate risks of allergic diseases in children. It also emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to provide support services for patients facing complex social challenges without overemphasizing parental blame, especially concerning their children’s long-term health.

Keywords

maternal psychological distress

allergic diseases

asthma

atopic dermatitis

urbanization

antibiotic use

air pollution

psychosocial stressors

retrospective analysis

perinatal support