# Mediterranean diet and infant health study

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mediterranean-diet-and-infant-health-study
> Updated: 2026-10-26T04:23:53.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 3.

Research published in JAMA Network Open, involving over 1,300 women in Massachusetts as part of Project Viva, indicates that adherence to a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy is associated with a reduced risk of infants developing both colic and eczema.

Using a Mediterranean diet adherence score (MDS) and a dietary inflammatory index (DII), investigators from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute found that each additional point on the MDS scale linked to a 15 percent reduction in the combined risk of these conditions. In contrast, each additional point on the DII—measuring inflammatory potential from foods such as red meat and sugary drinks—was associated with a 34 percent increase in risk.

Seafood consumption showed a protective effect, with each additional weekly serving of fish or shellfish linked to a 25 percent lower probability of an infant presenting with both conditions. The study noted that the strongest associations were observed in infants whose mothers had existing allergies. No significant statistical links were found regarding the consumption of common allergens like nuts, eggs, or dairy.

Follow-up analysis of the Project Viva cohort, which included 1,324 mother-child pairs, emphasized that dietary patterns during the first and second trimesters play a significant role in shaping early childhood health outcomes at six months of age.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-26: Maternal nutrition and placental health linked to infant wellness

Research shows that a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy can reduce infant colic and eczema, while experts highlight the medical potential of placental stem cells.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maternal-nutrition-and-placental-health-linked-to-infant-wellness

### 2026-10-19: Mediterranean diet in pregnancy linked to lower infant colic and eczema risk

A Harvard-led study finds that a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy can reduce the risk of colic and eczema in babies, with seafood consumption showing significant benefits.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mediterranean-diet-in-pregnancy-linked-to-lower-infant-colic-and-eczema-risk-1

### 2026-10-16: Mediterranean diet in pregnancy linked to lower infant colic and eczema risk

A study involving over 1,300 women suggests that following a Mediterranean diet and increasing seafood intake during pregnancy may reduce the risk of infants developing both colic and eczema.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mediterranean-diet-in-pregnancy-linked-to-lower-infant-colic-and-eczema-risk

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Cite as: Mediterranean diet and infant health study. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mediterranean-diet-and-infant-health-study