Neonatal gut microbiota and risk of developing food sensitization and allergy.

Background: Food sensitization (FS) develops in early infancy and is a risk factor for subsequent food allergy (FA). Recent evidence suggests relationships of gut microbiota with FS and FA. However, little is known about the role of neonatal gut microbiota in the pathobiology of these manifestations.

Asian birth cohort studies on allergic diseases: The A2BC network initiative.

The Asia Allergy Birth Cohort (A2BC) network consolidates data from multiple independently established birth cohorts across Asia to enhance research on host-environment interactions in allergic diseases. These cohorts, established at different times with various methodologies, are reliable data sources. Our aim is to introduce the content, variables, and outcomes of these cohorts while highlighting their differences, laying the groundwork for future collaborative research.

Prevention of Atopic Dermatitis in Babies by Skin Care from the Newborn Period.

Introduction: So far, no definitive conclusions have been reached regarding the preventive effect of moisturizers on atopic dermatitis (AD). The variability in results may be due to differences in skin care methods, including bathing and washing, among studies and study design. In hot and humid Japan, bathing and gauze washing have been routinely practiced from the neonatal period, but this may impair the skin barrier function.

The Effectiveness of Heat-Killed K15 in Preventing Respiratory Tract Infections in Preterm Infants: A Pilot Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Background: Preterm infants discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have a risk of severe viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Researchers have recently reported the potential use of postbiotics to decrease RTIs in young children. However, the safety and efficacy of postbiotics for preventing RTIs in preterm infants is not yet established.

Altered genomic methylation promotes Staphylococcus aureus persistence in hospital environment.

Staphylococcus aureus can cause outbreaks and becomes multi-drug resistant through gene mutations and acquiring resistance genes. However, why S. aureus easily adapts to hospital environments, promoting resistance and recurrent infections, remains unknown.

Effect of multi-strain bifidobacteria supplementation on intestinal microbiota development in low birth weight neonates: a randomized controlled trial.

Single-strain species are commonly used as probiotics with low birth weight neonates. However, the effectiveness and safety of multi-strain supplementation are not well known. Thirty-six neonates weighing less than 2,000 g (558-1,943 g) at birth and admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit were randomly assigned to receive a single strain or triple strains of with lactulose enterally for 4 weeks from birth.

The prebiotic effect of 1-kestose in low-birth-weight neonates taking bifidobacteria: a pilot randomized trial in comparison with lactulose.

Probiotics such as bifidobacteria have been given to low-birth-weight neonates (LBWNs) at risk for a disrupted gut microbiota leading to the development of serious diseases such necrotizing enterocolitis. Recently prebiotics such as lactulose are used together with bifidobacteria as synbiotics. However, faster and more powerful bifidobacteria growth is desired for better LBWN outcomes.

Comparative Analysis of Nutritional Advice and a Combined Approach for Addressing Impending Stunting in Infants: A Clinical Trial.

Weight faltering (WF) has been associated with stunting and with long-term adverse consequences for health and development. Nutritional care for managing WF may consist of giving nutritional advice (NA) and/or provision of oral nutrition supplements (ONSs). In this study, we aimed to evaluate practical management options in the community for infants with WF aged 6-12 months.

Nationwide epidemiological survey of juvenile idiopathic arthritis during transition to young adulthood in Japan using the National Database of Designated Incurable Diseases of Japan.

Objectives We aimed to assess the unmet medical needs of young adult patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis by evaluating real-world treatment data. Methods We analyzed data on juvenile idiopathic arthritis in the 20-29 age group from the National Database of Designated Incurable Diseases of Japan, which records severe cases or those requiring high-cost medical care registered between April 2018 and March 2020. Results Overall, 322 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis transitioning to adulthood were included.

Trajectories of egg sensitization in childhood: Two birth cohorts in Asia and Europe.

Background: Hen's egg exposure through impaired skin barrier is considered a major mechanism of sensitization to eggs. However, the impact of filaggrin (FLG) gene loss-of-function mutations on the natural history of egg sensitization lacks consensus among studies.

Objective: To evaluate the association between the natural course of egg sensitization and FLG mutations.

Factors contributing to the diagnosis and onset prediction of perennial allergic rhinitis in high-risk children: A sub-analysis of the CHIBA study.

Background: This study aimed to clarify the diagnostic and predictive factors for perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) onset in children by analyzing the results of the Chiba High-risk Birth Cohort for Allergy study, which examined newborns with a family history of allergies.

Methods: Overall, 306 pregnant women were recruited. Their newborns were examined by otolaryngologists and pediatric allergists at 1, 2, and 5 years of age.

Gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in sustained unresponsiveness by oral immunotherapy in school-age children with cow's milk allergy.

Background: Oral immunotherapy (OIT) can ameliorate cow's milk allergy (CMA); however, the achievement of sustained unresponsiveness (SU) is challenging. Regarding the pathogenesis of CMA, recent studies have shown the importance of gut microbiota (Mb) and fecal water-soluble metabolites (WSMs), which prompted us to determine the change in clinical and gut environmental factors important for acquiring SU after OIT for CMA.

Methods: We conducted an ancillary cohort study of a multicenter randomized, parallel-group, delayed-start design study on 32 school-age children with IgE-mediated CMA who underwent OIT for 13 months.

A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of the Effect of 1-Kestose on Defecation Habits in Constipated Kindergarten Children: A Pilot Study.

Constipation is common in children and can significantly affect quality of life. Prebiotics are reportedly helpful for constipation in adults, but few studies have examined their use in young children. In this study, the effect of 1-kestose (kestose), which has excellent bifidobacterial growth properties, on constipation in kindergarten children ( = 11) was compared with that of maltose ( = 12) in a randomized, double-blind study.

The propionate-GPR41 axis in infancy protects from subsequent bronchial asthma onset.

Evidence has accumulated that gut microbiota and its metabolites, in particular the short-chain fatty acid propionate, are significant contributors to the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases. However, little is known regarding its impact on pediatric bronchial asthma, one of the most common allergic diseases in childhood. This study aimed to elucidate whether, and if so how, intestinal propionate during lactation is involved in the development of bronchial asthma.

Association of umbilical cord serum TARC/CCL17 with childhood allergies: A birth cohort study.

Background: Early identification of infants at high risk of allergies can improve the efficacy of preventive interventions. However, an established quantifiable risk assessment method in the early postnatal period does not exist. TARC (or CCL17) is a Th2 chemokine used as an activity marker for atopic dermatitis (AD).

Comparison of 30 Cytokines in Human Breast Milk between 1989 and 2013 in Japan.

Milk cytokines play a vital role in mucosal immunity during infancy by supporting immune development and functions. Although the maternal background characteristics influence milk cytokines, changes in cytokine levels across generations remain unclear. Colostrum (C, = 48) and mature milk (MM, = 49) samples were collected from lactating Japanese women in 1989 (2727 samples) and 2013 (1408 samples).

Health and nutrition claims for infant formula: international cross sectional survey.

Objectives: To review available health and nutrition claims for infant formula products in multiple countries and to evaluate the validity of the evidence used for substantiation of claims.

Design: International cross sectional survey.

Setting: Public facing and healthcare professional facing company owned or company managed formula industry websites providing information about products marketed for healthy infants delivered at full term in 15 countries: Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States in 2020-22.

Nationwide survey of childhood Guillain-Barré syndrome, Fisher syndrome, and Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis in Japan.

Objective: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), Fisher syndrome (FS), and Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis (BBE) are immune-mediated neuropathies presenting with symptoms such as weakness, ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and consciousness disturbances. Although the epidemiology of GBS and BBE in patients of all ages has been reported, childhood data have not been well-investigated. We aimed to determine the clinical features, therapeutics, and prognoses of childhood GBS, FS, and BBE in Japan.