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Research
Ovalbumin in breast milk is associated with a decreased risk of IgE-mediated egg allergy in childrenShowed for the first time that the presence of an egg-derived allergen in breast milk is associated with a reduced risk of egg allergy in children at 2.5 years of age
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Circulating Epithelial Cell Cytokines Are Associated With Early-Onset Atopic DermatitisDebbie Susan Palmer Prescott BSc BND PhD MBBS BMedSci PhD FRACP Head, Early Life & Life-Course Health Program; Team Lead, Nutrition in Early Life
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Taking a prebiotic approach to early immunomodulation for allergy preventionIn this review we examine maternal and infant dietary sources of prebiotics with a particular focus on non-digestible oligosaccharides, which undergo SCFA.
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Fecal sample collection methods and time of day impact microbiome composition and short chain fatty acid concentrationsAssociations between the human gut microbiome and health outcomes continues to be of great interest, although fecal sample collection methods which impact microbiome studies are sometimes neglected. Here, we expand on previous work in sample optimization, to promote high quality microbiome data. To compare fecal sample collection methods, amplicons from the bacterial 16S rRNA gene (V4) and fungal (ITS2) region, as well as short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations were determined in fecal material over three timepoints.
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Early introduction of food reduces food allergy – Pro and ConWhen an infant is developmentally ready, a variety of nutritious foods should be introduced including the ‘more allergenic’ foods during infancy
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Egg-sensitised infants have elevated CD4+ effector memory T regulatory cells from birthIgE-mediated sensitisation to egg is common in infants. In some cases, the processes leading to egg sensitisation are established in early life, even before introduction to solid foods. The underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.
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The PrEggNut Study – Maternal diet rich in eggs and peanuts to reduce food allergies: a randomised controlled trialDebbie Susan Palmer Prescott BSc BND PhD MBBS BMedSci PhD FRACP Head, Early Life & Life-Course Health Program; Team Lead, Nutrition in Early Life
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Associations between sun exposure, skin pH, and epidermal permeability in pregnancy: A longitudinal observational studyLittle is known about how sun exposure may affect the maternal skin barrier during pregnancy when many hormonal and physiological changes occur. In this longitudinal observational study, 50 pregnant women were recruited at 18-24 weeks' gestation, 25 in summer-autumn, and 25 in winter-spring. At three time points in pregnancy at 18-24, 28-30, and 36-38 weeks' gestation, participants completed a validated sun exposure questionnaire and had skin permeability and surface pH measured on the volar forearm.
The vision of the Nutrition in Early Life team is to work together with the community to produce quality research, for improving our knowledge of how a mother’s diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding can improve both her and her child’s health.
Research
Maternal dietary intake in pregnancy and lactation and allergic disease outcomes in offspringAs the prevalence of allergic disease dramatically rises worldwide, prevention strategies are increasingly being considered.