Healthcare Informatics Research · Published 2026-01-31 · DOI 10.4258/hir.2026.32.1.77
Objectives The effects of maternal coffee consumption during pregnancy on childhood allergic diseases (ADs) remain insufficiently established. This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal coffee consumption during pregnancy and the risk of ADs in offspring up to 36 months of age. Methods We analyzed data from 3,252 mother–child pairs enrolled in the Korean Children’s Environmental health Study (Ko-CHENS). Maternal coffee and caffeine intake were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Childhood ADs were identified based on caregiver reports of physician diagnoses. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with adjustment for potential confounding factors. Results Overall, two-thirds (67.5%) of children were reported to have at least one AD, with cumulative incidences at 36 months of age of 47.8% for atopic dermatitis, 23.9% for food allergy, 30.2% for allergic rhinitis, and 2.4% for asthma. Compared with no coffee intake, maternal coffee consumption of <1 serving/day was associated with a reduced risk of atopic dermatitis (HR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.81–0.99, p = 0.045) and food allergy (HR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.74–1.00, p = 0.061). Higher intake (≥1 serving/day) was significantly associated with a lower risk of food allergy (HR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.42–0.88, p = 0.009). No significant associations were observed for asthma or allergic rhinitis. Conclusions Mild maternal coffee intake during pregnancy may be associated with a reduced risk of specific ADs in early childhood.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
Read the article at the publisher →