Biomarkers of Atopy Beginning Early (BABE)

Are You Pregnant and Have a Family History of Allergies?

This is a study for mothers and their children. This two-year study will seek to understand why allergies are common in so many places. We are comparing Old Order Mennonite families, who rarely develop allergies, to Rochester families with a history of allergies. This will help us learn how different lifestyles affect the development of the immune system and allergic diseases.

You may qualify for our study if:

• You are 18 years or older and pregnant
• Anyone in your family has hay fever, food allergies, asthma, or eczema
• You will complete questionnaires and donate samples (stool, saliva, etc.).

Key Study Visits and Samples

• Maternal sample collection will begin in the 3rd trimester at approximately 35 weeks.
• At birth, cord blood, vernix and/or placenta samples will be collected with permission.
• Remaining mother and infant samples will be collected at infant ages 1-2 weeks, 6 weeks, 4-6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, and 24 months.
• The samples collected will include mother saliva, blood, stool, and skin cell samples, and child saliva, nasal, blood, stool, skin cell, and hair/nail samples, as well as collection of home dust and lifestyle questionnaires.

Length of Follow-up

This study will start in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and end when the child is 2 years old.

More Information

Please contact us for more information:
(585) 275-4640
Allergy_Research@urmc.rochester.edu

Principal Investigator: Kirsi Järvinen-Seppo, M.D., Ph.D.
Study Sponsor: National Institutes of Health