Harvard study links prenatal Mediterranean diet to lower infant colic and eczema risk

A study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that a mother's diet during pregnancy can influence the health of her infant. Researchers from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston Children’s Hospital, and the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute found that adhering to a Mediterranean-style diet is linked to a lower risk of colic and eczema in newborns.

Specifically, the research indicates that for every additional unit on the Mediterranean Diet Score, the risk of these conditions decreases by 15%. Conversely, a higher Dietary Inflammation Index—associated with high intake of processed meats, sugar, and refined grains—is linked to a 34% increase in risk. Additionally, consuming seafood weekly was associated with a 25% reduction in the likelihood of infants experiencing both colic and eczema.

The Project Viva study followed over 1,300 pregnant women in Eastern Massachusetts between 1999 and 2002. Experts note that addressing these early childhood conditions is critical, as infants with colic and eczema are at a higher risk for developing long-term atopic diseases, such as asthma, seasonal rhinitis, and food allergies.