Vitamin C May Increase the Likelihood of Eczema and Asthma in Children

Total Vitamin C intake during pregnancy may increase the likelihood of eczema and asthma in children by age 2, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom studied 2,000 women to determine how antioxidant intake during pregnancy affects the development of asthma and eczema in children. The full two-year study was completed by 1,300 of the women.

The women were required to fill out questionnaires that asked them about their dietary habits during pregnancy. They also and had their blood tested for antioxidant levels. Follow-ups were conducted at six-, 12-, and 24-month intervals on 1,924 of the children born to the study participants.

Results show children whose mothers had the highest levels of total vitamin C intake were also the most likely to develop eczema and asthma by age 2. Other antioxidants test such as vitamin E, selenium, beta-carotene, magnesium, copper, or zinc were not associated with early childhood eczema or asthma. However, vitamin E did appear to decrease both asthma and eczema risk.

Authors conclude, “This study suggests maternal dietary antioxidant intakes during pregnancy may modify the risks of developing [asthma] and eczema during early childhood. Further follow-up of the [children] will determine whether maternal diet during pregnancy is associated with asthma and atopic disease later in childhood.”

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2005;171:121-128

Eczema oil for your baby

Eczema from A Child's Point of View

I recently came across one website section of National Eczema Association (NEA), a non-profit organisation giving support and education, as well as doing research on eczema. It's called NEASE (National Eczema and Sensitive-Skin Education).

As part of their campaign to improve the health and the quality of life of eczema sufferers, they launch NEASE for children, purposed to educate and support children eczema sufferers and commit research on child eczema.

I intrigued by their Children NEASE brochure. Not only wonderful design-wise, but also highly informative, yet simple. The best part of the brochure is, of course, the content - described from a child's point of view about his/her eczema - created by the children who suffer eczema themselves.

It's illuminating to learn from the simple brochure about what happen in a child with eczema's mind - paranoia, embarrass, humiliation, anger, anguish, afraid... making me think that there's so much things to do to give necessary supports to the young eczema sufferers, which is to me, for one reason only - what they learn to cope in their young age will determine their success in surviving eczema in their adolescent years; Eczema is physical in nature, but the psychological impacts are more destructive than the physical impacts.

Give support to the young ones by either donating your time and/or money to any eczema organisations you like, or by creating better awareness about eczema's impact on one's life - anything. Some of you've been there. I've been there.

Note: No affilation whatsoever between the NEA and I. I just love their causes and would like to support in any ways a blogger can.