Children’s asthma risk ‘can depend on mother’s job during pregnancy’

A scientific study has revealed that the occupation of pregnant women can have an effect on their unborn children's asthma risk.

Data was presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) annual congress in Amsterdam this week showing that women who are exposed to certain materials during their pregnancy could see knock-on health effects for their offspring.

This conclusion was reached following an assessment of 42,696 children from the Danish National Birth Cohort, which analysed asthma risk according to mothers' exposure to low molecular weight agents.

These include synthetic chemicals and natural substances from vehicle parts, furniture, shoe soles, paints, varnish and glues, all of which can be common occupational hazards.

Professor Marc Decramer, president of the ERS, said studies of this kind "highlight the need for exposure standards, whereby all work places examine levels of allergens and respiratory irritants in their indoor air, to help prevent lung diseases".

In July, a University College London study revealed that mothers who smoke during pregnancy are increasing their children's risk of gastroschisis, deformed limbs, cleft palate and other birth defects.