Read about new research suggesting a link between gut bacteria and childhood allergies. Plus, learn about an opportunity to take part in an international study on access to psychological services!
Research: Canadian study finds link between bacteria in the gut and childhood allergies
A new Canadian study suggests four common childhood allergies – eczema, asthma, food allergy and hay fever – are linked to an imbalance of bacteria in the gut. Researchers also found that factors such as antibiotic use in the first year of life are more likely to result in later allergic conditions, and this was universal to all the conditions studied.
Our executive director Jennifer talks about the significance of this research in a Toronto Star article noting, “I think that’s what’s interesting about this (study), that there may be possibilities for the research community taking a look at this and saying ‘How can we explore the treatment possibilities for those that have the highest burden of allergic disease across all of these?'”
The research is part of the CHILD Cohort Study (CHILD) that recruited families through BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre and other pediatric hospitals across Canada.
Next the researchers hope to leverage the findings to inform treatments that correct an imbalanced gut microbiota and could potentially prevent allergies from developing.
Learn more
Participate in research: International study on access to psychological services
If you are a parent/caregiver of a child with food allergy or are an adult with food allergy, you are invited to participate in an international study. In this phase of the study, researchers are conducting paid interviews by phone or online, to understand the needs you may have for psychological support when managing food allergy.
In phase one of the study, the researchers collected information about psychological distress and psychological health needs in patients with food allergy and their families. They also asked if the patients had been referred to someone to help them with any distress, such as a psychologist. There were over 2,000 responses from all over the world which showed that many patients and families would like psychological support when managing their or their child’s food allergy. The researchers now want to interview people to find out about these needs in more detail.
How to participate in the interviews of the second phase of the study
Your participation in this study is vital to providing the researchers with insights on the psychological health and service needs of people with food allergy.
Please click on the links below to learn more about the study and how to participate.
