Pesce G, Sesé L, Calciano L, et al. - Researchers intended to determine if there is an association between prenatal exposures to heavy metals and atopic diseases. Using parental questionnaires with validated questions on asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and food allergy symptoms, children from the EDEN birth cohort were prospectively monitored. Levels of Cd in cord blood were correlated with greater risk of asthma, eczema, and food allergy, whereas Mn levels in maternal serum were related to eczema. Such correlations were comparable in males and females and were confirmed using log concentrations of metals as exposures. The findings support the assumption that fetal exposure to heavy metals may influence the development of childhood asthma, eczema, and food allergies and indicate that these associations may play a role in the timing of in utero exposure.