What a mother eats during pregnancy may help her child avoid having eczema or wheezing, according to a new study published in the journal Allergy.

Reuters reports that researchers in Japan evaluated the diets of 763 pregnant women and then followed up with them when their babies were between 16- and 24-months old to see if they suffered from eczema or an allergic wheeze.

They found that mothers who ate greater amounts of green and yellow vegetables, citrus fruits, or beta carotene while pregnant were less likely to have an infant with the skin condition. In addition, researchers said that higher intake of vitamin E during pregnancy was associated with a reduced likelihood of having a wheezy infant.

Researchers say the findings deserve further investigation before pregnant women are encouraged to boost change their diets to include more green and yellow vegetables, citrus fruits and antioxidants in order to avoid certain allergies in their offspring.

Eczema is a common skin condition among infants. Its causes vary and may include heredity, contact with chemicals or other irritating substances as well as allergens. It is identified by itchy, dry, red skin patches.