Factors associated with avoidance of peanuts and/or other nuts during pregnancy and lactation☆

Abstract 

Rationale

The UK Department of Health advises that pregnant women who are atopic, or for whom the father or sibling of their unborn child has an atopic disease may wish to avoid eating peanuts during pregnancy lactation. We investigated whether peanut avoidance in pregnancy is associated with a family history of atopy and other factors.

Methods

1061 women resident on IOW (UK) who gave birth between September 2001 and August 2002 were studied. Family history of atopic disease was obtained at recruitment. At 36 weeks gestation, women completed a food frequency questionnaire. Full information was obtained from 937.

Results

521 (55%) mothers aimed to avoid peanuts during pregnancy. Of these, 14% ate peanuts by accident, 159 (30%) avoided tree nuts and 112 (21%) continued the peanut avoidance during lactation. In both mothers who aimed to avoid peanuts and those that didn't, the proportions with a reported family history of atopy were similar (84 and 82%). In these groups equal numbers planned to breast feed and they were equally health conscious in terms of fruit/vegetable intake and smoking cessation. Level of education did not differ. Those avoiding peanuts were more likely to follow other nutritional advice given such as avoidance of raw egg (p<0.001) and 29% of this group had an older child with peanut allergy compared to 12% that did not avoid peanut (p=0.293).

Conclusions

Peanut avoidance during pregnancy did not correlate with a family history of atopy. Mothers who avoid peanuts during pregnancy are more likely to follow other nutritional advice given during pregnancy.

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