Grieger, J.Clifton, V.Tuck, A.Wooldridge, A.Robertson, S.Gatford, K.2016-06-162016-06-162016International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 2016; 169(2):80-921018-24381423-0097http://hdl.handle.net/2440/99739Background: Around 30-40% of the world's population will experience allergy, the most common and earliest-onset noncommunicable disease. With a steady rise in the incidence of allergic disease over recent decades, up to 18% of children will suffer a respiratory, food or skin allergy before their 18th birthday. There is compelling evidence that the risk of developing allergy is influenced by early life events and particularly in utero exposures. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was undertaken which outlines prenatal risk factors and potential mechanisms underlying the development of allergy in childhood. Results: Exposures including maternal cigarette smoking, preterm birth and Caesarean delivery are implicated in predisposing infants to the later development of allergy. In contrast, restricted growth in utero, a healthy maternal diet and a larger family size are protective, but the mechanisms here are unclear and require further investigation. Conclusion: To ameliorate the allergy pandemic in young children, we must define prenatal mechanisms that alter the programming of the fetal immune system and also identify specific targets for antenatal interventions.en© 2016 S. Karger AG, BaselPlacentaAnimalsHumansPrenatal Exposure Delayed EffectsHypersensitivityDisease SusceptibilityDietRisk FactorsMaternal ExposureImmunity, Maternally-AcquiredDNA MethylationEpigenesis, GeneticPregnancyDietary SupplementsInfant, NewbornFemaleJournal article003004630610.1159/0004439610003757355000032-s2.0-84963997593223443Grieger, J. [0000-0003-1515-948X]Clifton, V. [0000-0002-4892-6748]Wooldridge, A. [0000-0002-2914-7693]Robertson, S. [0000-0002-9967-0084]Gatford, K. [0000-0002-2823-3004]