26 Sep 2006

Pregnant and Allergic? - Research Study



The occurrence of allergic diseases in children has shown a sharp increase over the past 20-30 years. Eczema and asthma are common allergic diseases of which eczema is mainly seen in infancy. Approximately 1 in 5 infants will develop eczema between 1 months and 6 months of age.

Infants with allergic parents or siblings have a higher risk of becoming allergic. Therefore, the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork (UCC) and the Division of Paediatrics at Cork University Hospital (CUH) have initiated a research study, which investigates the possible prevention of allergy in babies who have a higher risk of developing allergy.

It is well known that breastfeeding is the best early food, particularly for babies with an increased risk of becoming allergic.

However, there can be several reasons why mothers choose not to breastfeed or decide to initiate formula feeding at some point after birth. Therefore, this study investigates the influence of a new infant formula on the occurrence of eczema. This formula does not contain whole proteins, but proteins, which are pre-digested and broken down into smaller pieces, making them less likely to cause an allergic reaction. In addition, prebiotics are added. Prebiotics are natural compounds found in breastmilk that encourage healthy bacteria in the infant gut. This new formula will be compared with a standard infant formula, which contains whole proteins and does not contain prebiotics.

This study will follow all babies with a high risk of developing allergies (from birth until 18 months of age). Babies, therefore, who will be breastfed for longer periods, but also babies who start formula feeding at some point after birth can participate.

Interested?
Are you pregnant and are you or your partner allergic (asthma, eczema, hay fever, food allergy)? Then you can participate in this study.

For more information please contact one of the research nurses:
Prof Jonathan Hourihane, 021 490 1237
Sinead Lafford, 021 490 1258 or 087 2111160
Deirdre Daly, 021 490 1258 or 087 2955656

299MMcS


« Back to 2006 Press Releases