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Fish oil supplementation in early infancy modulates developing infant immune responsesMaternal fish oil supplementation during pregnancy has been associated with altered infant immune responses and a reduced risk of infant sensitization and...
Research
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
Cohort Profile: The ORIGINS pregnancy and birth cohortDesiree Doctor Jackie Susan Lisa Zenobia Silva Davis Prescott Gibson Talati MBBS, FRACP, MPH, PhD BSc (Hons) MBBS BMedSci PhD FRACP BA (Hons), MPsych
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Study Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial Investigating the Effects of Maternal Prebiotic Fibre Dietary Supplementation from Mid-Pregnancy to Six Months’ Post-Partum on Child Allergic Disease OutcomesInfant allergy is the most common early manifestation of an increasing propensity for inflammation and immune dysregulation in modern environments. Refined low-fibre diets are a major risk for inflammatory diseases through adverse effects on the composition and function of gut microbiota. This has focused attention on the potential of prebiotic dietary fibres to favourably change gut microbiota, for local and systemic anti-inflammatory effects.
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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, Nutrition in Early Life Honorary Research Fellow debbie.palmer@uwa.edu.au
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Changes to the Gut Microbiome in Young Children Showing Early Behavioral Signs of AutismThe human gut microbiome has increasingly been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is a neurological developmental disorder, characterized by impairments to social interaction.
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Pre-and Postnatal Vitamin D Status and Allergy Outcomes in Early ChildhoodThe dramatic increase in the prevalence of allergic disease in recent decades reflects environmental and behavioural changes that have altered patterns of early immune development. The very early onset of allergic diseases points to the specific vulnerability of the developing immune system to environmental changes and the development of primary intervention strategies is crucial to address this unparalleled burden.
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Sensitizing and Th2 Adjuvant Activity of Cysteine Protease AllergensHere, we report on a model that does not use Th2-skewing adjuvants and yet achieves sensitization solely via the nasal mucosa.
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A role for early oral exposure to house dust mite allergens through breast milk in IgE-mediated food allergy susceptibilityThis study highlights an unpredicted potential risk factor for the development of food allergy, that is, D pteronyssinus allergens in breast milk