View clinical trials related to Maternal Exposure.
Filter by:In last decades, a change in dietary habits has been observed in industrialized countries characterized by a drastic increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF, Ultra-Processed Foods). As defined by the NOVA classification, UPFs are industrial formulations of food substances added with colourings, flavourings, emulsifiers, thickeners and other additives. Among the main compounds of UPFs are the advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Increasing evidence suggests an association between dietary exposure to AGEs and the development of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as obesity and allergies, in the general population, through increased oxidative stress and inflammation. Preliminary evidence suggests that a maternal diet rich in AGEs during pregnancy and lactation could negatively influence the composition of breast milk and have a negative impact on the infants health. However, data regarding the presence of derivatives of UPFs in breast milk are not available. The UFIM (Ultraprocessed Foods In Breast Milk) study aims at evaluate the presence of UPFs-derivatives compounds in breast milk.
Vitamin B12 plays a key role in the development and normal functioning of the brain and nervous system. Unborn and new-born infants derive their vitamin B12 stores almost entirely from maternal B12 stores. As such, infants who are born to vegetarian mothers and exclusively breast fed are at a high-risk of B12 deficiency. This is because the best sources of vitamin B12 are found in animal based or fortified foods (e.g. cheese, milk and eggs). Vitamin B12 deficiency is widely reported among antenatal mothers and children, particularly in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) where these food sources are uncommon. So far, studies have shown that antenatal vitamin B12 deficiency in mothers may be associated with poorer neurodevelopment in their children. Furthermore, vitamin B12 supplementation during pregnancy and early lactation has been shown to increase maternal, breast milk, and infant levels of vitamin B12. Although existing literature documents several studies on maternal vitamin B12 supplementation, there is a lack of research on the causative effect of maternal vitamin B12 supplementation on infant development. This project, funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), will undertake a multi-centric nutritional trial in Nepal and India, as these are two LMICs where high incidence of vitamin B12 deficiency is reported.