The modern environment is associated with an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Mounting evidence implicates environmental exposures, experienced early in life (including in utero), in the aetiology of many NCDs, though the cellular/molecular mechanism(s) underlying this elevated risk across the life course remain unclear. Epigenetic variation has emerged as a candidate mediator of such effects. The Barwon Infant Study (BIS) is a population-derived birth cohort study (n = 1074 infants) with antenatal recruitment, conducted in the south-east of Australia (Victoria). BIS has been designed to facilitate a detailed mechanistic investigation of development within an epidemiological framework. The broad objectives are to investigate the role of specific environmental factors, gut microbiota and epigenetic variation in early-life development, and subsequent immune, allergic, cardiovascular, respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Participants have been reviewed at birth and at 1, 6, 9 and 12 months, with 2- and 4-year reviews under way. Biological samples and measures include: maternal blood, faeces and urine during pregnancy; infant urine, faeces and blood at regular intervals during the first 4 years; lung function at 1 month and 4 years; cardiovascular assessment at 1 month and 4 years; skin-prick allergy testing and food challenge at 1 year; and neurodevelopmental assessment at 9 months, 2 and 4 years. Data access enquiries can be made at [www.barwoninfantstudy.org.au] or via [peter.vuillermin@deakin.edu.au].
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyv026 | DOI Listing |
Reprod Toxicol
January 2025
Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville 3010, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia. Electronic address:
Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental pollutants known for their endocrine-disrupting properties, particularly during critical periods such as pregnancy and early childhood. Phthalates alter lipid metabolism, but the role of prenatal exposure on the offspring lipidome is less understood. In particular, we focused on long chain acylcarnitines - intermediates of fatty acid oxidation that serve as potential biomarkers of mitochondrial function and energy metabolism.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Hyg Environ Health
December 2024
Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
Introduction: Phthalates, chemical additives used to enhance plastic products' flexibility, are easily released into the environment, and can harm the brain development through various mechanisms including inflammation. Genetic variation influencing an individual's susceptibility to inflammation may play a role in the effects of phthalate exposure on neurodevelopment however there is no summary measure developed for genetic susceptibility to inflammation.
Methods: We developed a genetic pathway function score for inflammation (gPFS), based on the transcriptional activity of the inflammatory response pathway in the brain and other tissues.
J Am Heart Assoc
November 2024
Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Parkville Melbourne Australia.
Nutr Neurosci
October 2024
IMPACT (The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation), Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
Objectives: In experimental models, the prenatal diet influences gut microbiota composition in mothers and offspring; however, it is unclear whether this occurs in humans. We investigated the effects of a gut-focused perinatal dietary intervention on maternal and infant gut microbiota composition four weeks after birth.
Methods: This randomised controlled trial randomised pregnant women to receive dietary advice as part of standard care, or additionally receive a dietary intervention focused on the Australian Dietary Guidelines and increasing prebiotic and probiotic/fermented food intakes (ACTRN12616000936426).
Aust N Z J Public Health
October 2024
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia.
Objective: To identify additional mental and neurodevelopmental health needs of Aboriginal children born in Western Australia, who are placed in out-of-home care (OOHC), relative to Aboriginal children born in Western Australia who were not placed.
Methods: Data-linkage of hospitalisations, health registries and child protective services data for all Aboriginal children born in WA between 2000 and 2013 was used. Children placed in out-of-home care between 2000 and 2019 were matched to children never placed and prevalence and cumulative incidence estimates of mental and neurodevelopmental health conditions were compared.
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