Infant nutrition and asthma: Associations with body weight categories and air quality Ice-MCH - INutA
The aim of the proposed study is to investigate the possible role of infant nutrition in childhood asthma prevention using valuable data from national health registers.
Our principal investigators:
- Birna Þórisdóttir - Assistant professor in nutrition, University of Iceland
- Inga Þórsdóttir - Professor in nutrition, University of Iceland
- Kristjana Einarsdóttir - Professor in epidemiology, University of Iceland
Increased knowledge on possible preventive measures against asthma at young age is necessary. This study includes data from national health registers about the whole population of children born 2009-2014 and their parents, and is part of the Icelandic Maternal and Child Health Study (Ice-MCH Study). Possible associations with asthma will be explored with a special focus on infant nutrition.
To study in a population of 24000 children:
- Associations between infant nutrition and the incidence and prognosis of asthma at young age
- Effects of growth rate and body weight categories and the incidence and prognosis of asthma at young age
- Associations of varying air quality and the incidence and prognosis of asthma at young age
Background data as residency, birth data and maternal information will be considered, evaluated and appropriately adjusted for.
There is a reason to evaluate all means to decrease the risk for asthma and worsening symptoms, as part of a prevention strategy. None of the associations we aim to study in the current proposal has been studied in Iceland, and the international knowledge in the area is scarce. Including infant nutrition and other registered data for all born in the country for six years and following them until 7-12 years is innovative. Additional originality is to link that information with air quality data in their families’ regions. It enhances the possibility of expanding our knowledge in the area and simultaneously preventing asthma by new innovative means. The knowledge could be highly significant and have an impact on the development of infant nutrition recommendations.
- Birna Þórisdóttir - Assistant professor in nutrition, University of Iceland
- Inga Þórsdóttir - Professor in nutrition, University of Iceland
- Kristjana Einarsdóttir - Professor in epidemiology, University of Iceland
- Alma María Rögnvaldsdóttir - Chief nurse, Suðurnes Health Care Services, Reykjanes
- Geir Gunnlaugsson - Professor emeritus in global health UI, and paediatrician and child public health specialist
- Gunnar Guðmundsson - Professor UI, and respiratory physician at Landspitali University Hospital (LUH)
- Ingibjörg Gunnarsdóttir - Professor UI, and maternal nutrition specialist, and nutritionist at LUH
- Jenný Jónsdóttir BSc nurse and MSc health scientist, PhD student UI, and nurse at LUH
- Jaan Jaerving BSc computer scientist, data specialist UI
- Margrét Ólafía Tómasdóttir Associate professor in family medicine and social factors UI, and physician at Primary Health Care Capital Area of Iceland
- Þorsteinn Jóhannsson Advisor and air quality expert at Environment Agency of Iceland
The Icelandic Data Protection Authority (ref.2014050799) and the National Bioethics Committee in Iceland (VSN-14-078), with later additions, approved the Ice-MCH study. The Directorate of Health permitted access and link database information used in the Ice-MCH study (no. 14050304). Primary Health Care of the Capital Area (ref. lA3g/22/845.l) and other health care centres in the country permitted access to information in the Saga Maternal and Child Health Database.
- Icelandic Research Fund 239697-051
- Research Fund of the University of Iceland