Mom-to-be stress may have asthma effect

BOSTON, May 19 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say stress may magnify the effect of a pregnant mother's dust exposure and alter an infant's immune response.

Harvard Medical School researchers found increased levels of IgE expression -- a measure of the child's immune response at birth -- in cord blood among infants whose mothers experienced higher level of stress even when exposed to relatively low levels of dust mites -- an allergen -- during pregnancy. Cord blood is taken from the umbilical cord at birth.

"This research adds to a growing body of evidence that links maternal stress such as that precipitated by financial problems or relationship issues, to changes in children's developing immune systems, even during pregnancy," Dr. Rosalind Wright said.

"This further supports the notion that stress can be thought of as a social pollutant that, when 'breathed' into the body, may influence the body's immune response similar to the effects of physical pollutants like allergens."

Allergen sensitivity has been linked to a greater risk of asthma.

The findings that involved 387 infants enrolled in the Asthma Coalition on Community, Environment and Social Stress project in Boston held true regardless of the mother's race, class, schooling or smoking history.

The findings were presented at the American Thoracic Society's International Conference in Toronto.