Vitamin B3 Deficiency During Pregnancy Increases Infantile Eczema Risk
Vitamin B3 deficiency during pregnancy: increases the risk of infant eczema in newborns
Women who experience a deficiency of B vitamins in the blood during pregnancy, especially vitamin B3, will have children more predisposed to developing infant eczema, a very common skin inflammation in newborns. Conversely, for children born to women with adequate levels of vitamin B3, the risk of developing this type of dermatitis is reduced by 30%.
This is what the results of a study conducted by researchers at the University of Southampton (United Kingdom) and published in the journal Clinical & Experimental Allergy.
Infant eczema: a disease affecting newborns in industrialized countries
Atopic dermatitis or infant eczema (or atopic eczema) is a widespread skin inflammation in the pediatric population, especially in industrialized countries, where it has increased over the last 30 years. In Italy, the problem is quite common; this condition affects 20% of children under 7 years old and about 18% of children aged 7 to 16. Eczema is characterized by skin that is particularly dry and irritated compared to that of healthy subjects, features that facilitate the penetration of irritants or pathogenic microorganisms that favor the development of infection.
This disorder is often associated with non-cutaneous diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. Currently, atopic dermatitis is considered a multifactorial disease, caused both by genetic predisposition and by environmental and/or psychological factors. Infant eczema involves the immune system; therefore, several hypotheses have been developed about factors that may favor this excessive immune activation, including:
- excess hygiene
- excessive use of detergents
- decrease of infectious diseases
According to these theories, the lack of exposure of children to bacteria and other immune system regulators causes it to activate against certain allergens causing asthma, dermatitis, and other allergic diseases. The risk of infant eczema has also been linked to several environmental factors involving mothers during pregnancy, including age, maternal education level, smoking habits, and according to some studies, also maternal diet during gestation.
The role of vitamin B3
According to some studies, the lack of B vitamins, especially vitamin B3, also called niacin, is involved in the development of allergic conditions, asthma, and inflammatory bowel diseases. In particular, nicotinamide, a derivative of vitamin B3 known for its powerful anti-inflammatory action and beneficial effects in inflamed skin, seems to be involved. Nicotinamide-based creams are used in the treatment of eczema. Vitamin B3 is mainly found in animal foods, both meat and fish, mushrooms, and to a lesser extent in certain vegetables, cereals, and fruits. In some European countries, such as England, mandatory fortification of bread with vitamin B3 has been introduced. Niacin is also an ingredient in some energy drinks.
Nicotinamide reduces the risk of eczema
The new English study investigated the link between vitamin B3 levels in pregnant women and the risk of infant eczema in their offspring, examining the amount of nicotinamide and related metabolites in the blood of 497 expectant mothers. According to the results, higher levels of nicotinamide are associated with a 30% lower probability of developing atopic eczema in 12-month-old children, while no correlations were found with levels at 6 months. An even stronger association was found with elevated levels of anthranilic acid, a tryptophan metabolite, a molecule that can be converted into vitamin B3.
The first study to demonstrate the link between vitamin B3 and eczema
According to Sarah El-Heis, one of the researchers who conducted the study, although the positive role of vitamin B3 on dermatitis was already known, no previous study had demonstrated the link between serum niacin levels during pregnancy and the risk of atopic eczema in children. In any case, further research will be needed to study this interesting association, but the results obtained are further evidence of the potential benefits of a healthy diet during pregnancy and how potentially modifiable maternal behaviors can influence this common and distressing condition for new mothers.
Source: S. El-Heis et al. “Higher maternal serum concentrations of nicotinamide and related metabolites in late pregnancy are associated with a lower risk of offspring atopic eczema at age 12 months.” Clinical & Experimental Allergy.
