Birth Weight Linked to Childhood Allergies: Baby's Growth Before Birth May Affect Allergy Risk by Mei Marcie

Why do some children develop allergies while others do not? Genetics alone does not adequately cover the possible factors, so researchers at the University of Adelaide, Australia, set out to learn more about the role that birth weight plays on childhood allergies.

In the systematic review of previously published studies, the researchers looked at more than 15,000 studies and identified 42 that included data on more than two million allergy sufferers. Notably, they only included studies that corrected for gestational age, therefore excluding the role that premature birth itself may play in childhood allergies.

It was found that higher birth weight was associated with increased risk of food allergy and eczema, but not allergic rhinitis (hay fever) in childhood. For every extra 2.2 pounds of weight, a baby's risk of allergies and eczema increased by 44 percent (allergies) and 17 percent (eczema). Prior research had also associated obesity with a risk of childhood asthma. The study was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

The message for mothers with big babies is to consult their doctors on how to reduce the risk of childhood allergies, since the high birth weight itself is a risk factor. Pregnant mothers may want to pay more attention to Baby's weight and alert their doctors on any family history of allergy so that steps can be taken to reduce the risk of childhood allergy.

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