Researchers followed 456 pregnant women and their babies to see if vitamin levels during pregnancy affected whether infants developed eczema (a skin condition that causes itching and redness). They measured vitamin A and E levels in mothers’ blood during early pregnancy and tracked babies for the first year of life. They found that mothers with higher vitamin E levels were less likely to have babies with eczema—babies born to mothers with the most vitamin E had about half the risk compared to others. Vitamin A levels didn’t show the same protective effect. This suggests that getting enough vitamin E while pregnant might help prevent eczema in newborns.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether the amount of vitamin E and vitamin A in a pregnant mother’s blood affects the chances of her baby developing eczema in the first year of life
  • Who participated: 456 pregnant women who were 12-14 weeks along in their pregnancies, and their babies who were followed from birth through 12 months of age
  • Key finding: Babies born to mothers with higher vitamin E levels had about 46% lower risk of developing eczema. For every small increase in vitamin E, the risk dropped by about 8%. Vitamin A levels didn’t show this same protective effect.
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, getting enough vitamin E may help protect your baby from developing eczema. However, this is one study, and you should talk to your doctor about your vitamin intake rather than taking supplements on your own.

The Research Details

This was a cohort study, which means researchers followed a group of pregnant women over time and tracked what happened to their babies. Researchers recruited 456 pregnant women early in their pregnancies (around weeks 12-14) and took blood samples to measure exactly how much vitamin E and vitamin A they had. They used a precise lab test called liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, which is one of the most accurate ways to measure vitamin levels. The researchers then followed the babies at birth, 6 weeks old, 6 months old, and 12 months old to see if they developed eczema. They used statistical methods to figure out if the mothers’ vitamin levels were connected to whether babies got eczema, while also considering other factors that might matter (like folate and vitamin D levels, and family history).

This research approach is important because it measures actual vitamin levels in mothers’ blood rather than just asking what they ate, which can be unreliable. By following babies from birth through their first year, researchers could see exactly when eczema developed and connect it back to the mother’s vitamin levels during early pregnancy. This type of study is stronger than just looking at one point in time.

This study has several strengths: it measured vitamins using a very accurate lab method, it followed babies over time rather than just looking backward, and researchers adjusted their analysis to account for other factors that might affect eczema risk. However, the study was observational, meaning researchers watched what happened naturally rather than randomly assigning some mothers to get more vitamin E. This means we can’t be completely certain that vitamin E caused the lower eczema risk—other factors could be involved. The study was also done in one location, so results might differ in other populations.

What the Results Show

Out of 456 babies, 121 (about 26%) developed eczema by 12 months old. Mothers’ vitamin E levels varied quite a bit, with the middle value being 13.1 micrograms per milliliter. The key finding was that each small increase in vitamin E was connected to an 8% lower risk of eczema. When researchers compared babies whose mothers had the highest vitamin E levels to those with middle levels, the highest group had 46% less eczema risk. This relationship held true even after researchers accounted for other vitamins like folate and vitamin D that might also affect eczema risk. The vitamin E effect appeared to be linear, meaning more vitamin E was consistently better—there wasn’t a point where more stopped helping.

Vitamin A levels in mothers’ blood showed no connection to whether babies developed eczema. This was surprising because both vitamins A and E are antioxidants (they protect cells from damage), but only vitamin E appeared protective. This suggests that vitamin E may work through a different mechanism than vitamin A, or that vitamin A levels weren’t the limiting factor in this population.

Previous research on this topic has been mixed and unclear. Some studies looked at what pregnant women ate rather than actual blood levels, which is less precise. This study adds important evidence by measuring actual vitamin E concentrations in blood and following babies prospectively (forward in time) rather than looking backward. The finding that vitamin E matters but vitamin A doesn’t helps clarify earlier confusing results and suggests researchers should focus more on vitamin E in future studies.

This study followed mothers and babies in one specific population, so results might not apply everywhere. The study was observational, so we can’t prove that vitamin E directly caused lower eczema risk—mothers with higher vitamin E might differ in other ways that also protect against eczema. The researchers didn’t randomly assign mothers to different vitamin E levels, which would be the gold standard but isn’t practical during pregnancy. Additionally, eczema diagnosis was based on clinical observation, which can vary between doctors. The study also didn’t measure vitamin E intake from food, only blood levels, so we don’t know if supplements or diet was responsible.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, pregnant women should aim to maintain adequate vitamin E levels during pregnancy. Current recommendations suggest 15 mg per day for adults. Rather than taking high-dose supplements without medical guidance, focus on eating vitamin E-rich foods like nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and leafy greens. If you’re concerned about your vitamin E intake, discuss it with your doctor or midwife who can check your levels if needed. This evidence is moderate in strength—it’s promising but not yet definitive enough to change standard medical practice on its own.

This research is most relevant to pregnant women, especially those with a family history of eczema or allergies, since these babies may be at higher risk. It’s also relevant to healthcare providers counseling pregnant women about nutrition. This doesn’t mean non-pregnant people should change their vitamin E intake based on this study. If you’re pregnant or planning pregnancy, discuss these findings with your healthcare provider rather than self-treating.

If vitamin E does protect against eczema, the protection would develop during pregnancy since researchers measured vitamin E in the first trimester. Eczema typically appears in the first few months of life, with most cases in this study appearing by 6 months. You wouldn’t see immediate changes, but rather a reduced likelihood of eczema developing over the baby’s first year.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If pregnant, track daily vitamin E intake from food sources (almonds, sunflower seeds, spinach, olive oil) and log any prenatal vitamin supplements taken. Aim to record intake 5-6 days per week to identify patterns and ensure consistency.
  • Add one vitamin E-rich food to your daily routine: a small handful of almonds as a snack, a tablespoon of olive oil on salads, or a serving of leafy greens with lunch. This is easier than taking supplements and provides other nutrients too.
  • If you’re pregnant, discuss vitamin E levels with your healthcare provider at prenatal visits. After baby is born, track any eczema symptoms (dry patches, itching, redness) in the app and note when they appear. This helps you and your doctor identify patterns and determine if vitamin E status during pregnancy correlated with your baby’s skin health.

This research suggests an association between maternal vitamin E levels and infant eczema risk, but it is not definitive proof of cause and effect. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Pregnant women should not start, stop, or change vitamin supplements without consulting their healthcare provider. If your baby develops eczema or skin symptoms, consult a pediatrician or dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment. Individual results may vary based on genetics, environment, and other factors not measured in this study.