20 Jan 2026 • New evidence suggested that maternal mental health during pregnancy may shape allergy risk in children. A meta-analysis of 12 cohort studies found that children born to mothers with anxiety or depression had an increase in eczema and atopic dermatitis (AD).

Key Findings:

• Maternal anxiety was associated with an 11% higher overall risk of eczema/AD (OR 1.11), with a stronger link observed for AD alone (OR 1.24).
• Maternal depression was similarly tied to a small rise in combined eczema/AD risk (OR 1.06) and a higher likelihood of AD specifically (OR 1.17), while no consistent association emerged for eczema alone.
• Risk appeared greatest when anxiety occurred during the first (OR 1.13) or second trimester (OR 1.25) and when depression was identified in the second trimester (OR 1.30), with no significant associations seen in late pregnancy.
• Anxiety-related risk increases were evident in both Eastern and Western populations, whereas the association with maternal depression was observed only in Eastern countries.

The findings highlight the importance of early mental health screening and support during antenatal care.

Source: Frontiers | Read full story