# Maternal Mushroom Consumption During Pregnancy Is Associated With Decreased Risk of Peer Problems and Decreased Risk of Low Prosocial Behavior in 5‐Year‐Olds

## TL;DR

Eating mushrooms during pregnancy may lower the risk of behavioral issues in children at age 5.

## Contribution

This study identifies a novel link between maternal mushroom consumption and reduced behavioral problems in children.

## Key findings

- Higher maternal mushroom intake was linked to fewer peer problems in 5-year-olds.
- Mushroom consumption during pregnancy was associated with less low prosocial behavior in children.

## Abstract

Edible mushrooms have long been recognized for their nutritional value. In the Kyushu Okinawa Maternal and Child Health Study, a prebirth cohort study, we examined the association between maternal mushroom intake during pregnancy and risk of childhood behavioral problems in Japanese 5‐year‐olds.

A total of 1199 mother–child pairs were included as study subjects. In the baseline survey, dietary intake was assessed using a diet history questionnaire. In the follow‐up survey, emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity problems, peer problems, and low prosocial behavior were assessed using the parent‐reported version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Adjustments were made for a priori–selected non‐dietary confounders and potentially related dietary factors.

A significant inverse exposure–response association was observed between maternal mushroom consumption during pregnancy and risk of childhood peer problems (adjusted odds ratio [OR] between extreme quartiles, 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31–1.07, p for trend = 0.02) and low prosocial behavior (adjusted OR between extreme quartiles, 0.64; 95% CI: 0.43–0.95, p for trend = 0.02).

Higher maternal intake levels of mushrooms during pregnancy may be associated with a decreased risk of peer problems and a decreased risk of low prosocial behavior in 5‐year‐old children.

Maternal diet during pregnancy is associated with child development.Mushroom consumption was associated with a decreased risk of peer problems and a decreased risk of low prosocial behavior in children.Intake of mushrooms might be preventive against child behavioral problems development.

Maternal diet during pregnancy is associated with child development.

Mushroom consumption was associated with a decreased risk of peer problems and a decreased risk of low prosocial behavior in children.

Intake of mushrooms might be preventive against child behavioral problems development.