The offspring of women who regularly consumed sweets, fried foods, and cured meat during pregnancy may have a high propensity to develop unilateral retinoblastoma.
Retinoblastoma is a rare childhood cancer of the eye that can rob children of their sight. This study evaluated maternal dietary habits during pregnancy in relation to the occurrence of unilateral retinoblastoma in their offspring. Researchers examined the eating habits during pregnancy of 163 women with children with unilateral retinoblastoma and 136 women with healthy children.
Researchers observed that women who ate lots of cured meats, fried foods, and sweets during pregnancy had higher chances of having children with unilateral retinoblastoma. In contrast, consistent consumption of fruits and vegetables during pregnancy was found to confer children with significant protection against unilateral retinoblastoma. These data indicate that mothers who followed a diet rich in fruits and vegetables during pregnancy may help their children to fight off retinoblastoma.