Influence of Mediterranean Dietary Habits on Pregnancy and Foetus Development: the Role of Epigenetics and Inflammation

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Study Type: Observational
SUMMARY

The Mediterranean-style diet has been associated with longevity, long-life wellbeing, lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Research is pointing to the benefits that MeD could have in pregnant. Pregnancy is a very complex period and recently, the attention has been focused on the possibility that healthy dietary patterns positively influence pregnancy and the development of organs in the offspring. The mechanisms through which MeD influences pregnancy and fetal growth may partly depend on its antinflammatory properties and possibly on changes in epigenetic mechanisms. Systemic inflammation might contribute to the association between maternal obesity and less favorable neurodevelopmental outcomes. The investigators aim to define how maternal adhesion to MeD may affect pregnancy and new-born development, hence representing a notable burden from a public health and social perspective. Main objective of this project is to build up a birth cohort suitable to investigate the role of maternal dietary habits on maternal and new-born health, with special focus on MeD and its possible mechanism of action through epigenetic and inflammation changes. To establish a mother/new-born cohort, collect detailed information on maternal dietary habits and set-up a biobank of biological samples to evaluate the association between dietary habits and pregnancy outcomes. The investigators will recruit 2000 pairs (mother, new-born) in different obstetrics departments. To investigate the association between maternal dietary habits, foetal growth and offspring development and possible mediation by the inflammation profile of the mother. To understand whether maternal dietary habits are associated with epigenetic changes in the offspring and if this process is driven by the inflammation profile of the mother. Venous blood samples will be obtained at the baseline and at each gestational period for ultrasound at 11-13 gestational weeks, 20-22 weeks and 30-32 weeks. Women will be followed-up with standard clinical and 2D ultrasound examinations at gestational weeks 11-13, 20-22 and 30-32 to evaluate the fetal growth. Offspring development will be assessed at 6, 12, 18, 24 months of age. After delivery, the investigators will collect umbilical cord blood and saliva samples from new-born using standard procedures. To understand if new-born epigenetics is associated with infant physical and neurocognitive development in the following 2 years.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: Female
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 50
View:

• pregnant women attending the Units of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Neuromed Clinical Research Network

• women within the first trimester of pregnancy

• women who express the willing to deliver at the aforementioned operating units

Locations
Other Locations
Italy
Istituto Clinico Mediterranea
RECRUITING
Agropoli
Contact Information
Primary
Licia Iacoviello, MD
licia.iacoviello@moli-sani.org
+39 3485108779
Backup
Simona Esposito, msc
simona.esposito@moli-sani.org
+39 3389683142
Time Frame
Start Date: 2023-05-01
Estimated Completion Date: 2026-12-31
Participants
Target number of participants: 2000
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: Neuromed IRCCS

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov