VCOM Research Day Program Book 2023

Medical Student Research Publ ic Health

12 Assessment of Prenatal and Postnatal Dietary Practices on Atopic Symptoms in Children up to Two Years of Age

Patricia Liller, OMS III; Meghan Wilson, PhD; David Redden, PhD Corresponding author: pliller@vcom.edu

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Virginia Campus

Atopic diseases are growing in prevalence in the United States for individuals of all ages. Many environmental and genetic factors contribute to the development of atopic diseases, such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and allergic rhinitis. Other factors, such as dietary behaviors, can also contribute to the development of atopic diseases but the relationship has not been thoroughly studied. For example, as elimination diets in the United States continue to grow in popularity, it is essential to understand how eliminating exposure to certain foods can impact the development of the immune system. Elimination diets vary from person- to- person, but typically includes avoidance of foods such as animal

protein, dairy, wheat, or gluten. When these foods are eliminated during pregnancy or postpartum, specifically, they can influence the child’s developing immune system. This study aims to determine which changes to the diet and medication use during pregnancy and postpartum may contribute to the development of atopic symptoms in children up to two years of age. This study is awaiting IRB approval. The format of this study is an online survey for postpartum women with a child under the age of two. The survey asks about dietary practices, medication use, and personal history during pregnancy and breastfeeding practices during the postpartum period. By surveying women with a child under two, we aim to gather

preliminary data to determine if a relationship exists between maternal dietary practices and the prevalence of atopic symptoms in their children. Understanding the relationship between maternal dietary patterns, medication use, and atopic symptoms in children provides justification for education tools and early interventions to be disseminated to this population in hopes of reducing the prevalence of atopic symptoms in children at a young age.

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