Publications by authors named "Elinor Simons"

Background: Disentangling preschool wheezing heterogeneity in terms of clinical traits, temporal patterns, and collective healthcare burden is critical for precise and effective interventions.

Objective: We aimed to collectively define contributions and distinct characteristics of respiratory phenotypes based on longitudinal wheeze and atopic sensitization patterns in the first 5 years of life.

Methods: Group-based trajectory analysis was performed in the CHILD Cohort study to identify distinct wheeze and allergic sensitization trajectories.

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Aims: Wheezing in childhood is common and evidence is accumulating for the role of the gut microbiome in the development of atopic wheeze. Changes to the early-life gut microbiota and secretory IgA (SIgA) production have been linked to childhood disease; however, their connection to nonatopic wheeze is unknown. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the relationships between early-life gut microbiota trajectories, SIgA and childhood nonatopic wheeze.

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Aim: To determine relationships between paediatric use of acid-suppressive medications (ASMs) (proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RA)) and preschool body mass index (BMI) and mediation by C. difficile colonisation.

Methods: ASMs were parent-reported at age 3, 6 and 12 months in 1025 infants from the CHILD Cohort Study.

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The gut microbiota is highly dynamic during the first year of life and plays a crucial role in immune development. Breastfeeding is known to support infant health, but the contributions of the numerous breastmilk components to gut microbiota and immune maturation remain unclear. Secretory IgA (SIgA), the most abundant antibody in human milk, is a key modulator of gut microbiota composition.

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Objective: We aimed to understand data-driven dietary patterns in Canadian preschoolers and their impact on obesity development among male and female individuals.

Methods: In the prospective, population-based Canadian pregnancy cohort, the CHILD Cohort Study (N = 2219), dietary intake was assessed at age 3 years using a previously developed 112-item food frequency questionnaire. At age 5 years, we measured height, weight, and waist circumference and calculated BMI and waist circumference z scores.

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Introduction: Early child development sets the stage for lifelong health. Identifying early life factors related to child development can help guide programs and policies to bolster child health and wellbeing. The objective of this research was to examine how a broad range of predictors, measured prenatally to the third year of life, are related to child development at kindergarten.

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Background: Obesity is a major public health concern affecting millions of people globally. Early identification of individuals susceptible to obesity is crucial for reducing the burden of obesity. Obesity is often defined based on body-mass-index (BMI), and tracking BMI trajectories from early childhood offers a valuable tool for risk stratification.

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Background: Gut microbiota has been associated with health and susceptibility to childhood diseases, including asthma and allergies. However, the genomic factors contributing to interindividual variations in gut microbiota remain poorly understood.

Objective: We sought to integrate host genomics with early-life exposures to investigate main and interaction effects on gut microbiota during the first year of life.

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Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of allergy, and/or neurodevelopmental and autoimmune diagnoses in children born to anti-Ro antibody-positive mothers.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study of children born to anti-Ro antibody-positive mothers observed in the neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) clinic at The Hospital for Sick Children. Participants one year of age or older were invited to complete a health status questionnaire.

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Background: Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota has been demonstrated in neurodevelopmental disorders but the underlying mechanisms that may explain these associations are poorly understood. Gut secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) binds pathogenic microbes, preventing mucosal penetration. Gut microbes also influence SIgA production and its binding characteristics through short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolites, allowing them to regulate the immune response.

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Objective: Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in early life are one of the strongest risk factors for childhood asthma and are often treated with systemic antibiotics (IV or oral). We aimed to explore the association between early-life LRTIs and systemic antibiotics on asthma development and the potential mediating role of antibiotics in this relationship.

Methods: Data were collected as part of the longitudinal, general Canadian population CHILD Study.

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Importance: Ultraprocessed foods (UPF), characterized as shelf-stable but nutritionally imbalanced foods, pose a public health crisis worldwide. In adults, UPF consumption is associated with increased obesity risk, but findings among children are inconsistent.

Objectives: To examine the associations among UPF intake, anthropometric adiposity indicators, and obesity status in Canadian children.

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Introduction: Throughout the perinatal period children are exposed to complex mixtures, including indoor chemicals such as phthalates, and biological agents. However, few studies focus on interactions between early-life co-exposures to shed light on how co-exposures modify their individual effects. Therefore, our study aims to assess whether early-life exposure to pets and related biological agents, namely pet allergens and endotoxin, modifies the association between di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and asthma and wheeze in preschoolers to gain insight into interactions.

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Article Synopsis
  • The review covers the genetic and epigenetic factors related to food allergies, including their inheritance and the advantages and limitations of study methods.
  • Genome-wide association studies have identified 16 significant genetic variants linked to food allergies, often overlapping with other allergic conditions.
  • The article emphasizes the importance of integrating genetic and epigenetic data for understanding disease mechanisms and suggests future implications for predicting food allergy risks and responses to treatment.
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Introduction: Anaphylaxis is an acute life-threatening allergy, most commonly provoked by food, venom, or drugs. There is limited data regarding differences in symptomatology between anaphylaxis provoked by different triggers. This study aimed to assess sociodemographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, and management of anaphylaxis, according to triggers in adults.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study explored the relationship between current human milk feeding (HMF) and infant immune biomarker profiles in a cohort of 605 infants from Canada.
  • Results indicated that infants currently receiving HMF had higher levels of specific immune-related biomarkers compared to those who weren't.
  • The findings suggest that HMF status is important for immune development, but the duration and exclusivity of HMF did not significantly correlate with the biomarkers measured.
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  • * The study assesses the effects of prenatal and postnatal stress and depression on DNA methylation in newborns and 12-month-old children using the CHILD cohort, measuring stress and depression at multiple time points.
  • * Results showed significant associations between both prenatal and postnatal stress/depression and changes in DNA methylation at specific CpG sites in the newborn's cord blood and in blood from 12-month-old children, suggesting a biological impact of maternal mental health on child development.
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Article Synopsis
  • - The CHILD Cohort Study is a long-term Canadian research project tracking the health and development of infants from pregnancy until adulthood, focusing on how early life environments affect disease outcomes like asthma and developmental issues.
  • - The study involves detailed measurements and data collection including biological samples, environmental assessments, and psychosocial factors, with a strong participant retention rate over the years.
  • - A sub-cohort was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to examine its impact on families, and the next major assessment phase will occur from 2022 to 2025, contributing valuable insights into chronic diseases and health complexities.
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Background: Previous guidelines recommend prompt epinephrine administration, followed by observation in the emergency department (ED). The need for transfer in all cases of anaphylaxis has recently been challenged.

Objective: To evaluate the need for additional ED treatment among children with anaphylaxis who received prehospital epinephrine.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study examined how breastfeeding and microbial colonization in infants are related to respiratory health, specifically asthma risk, by analyzing data from over 2,200 children.
  • Researchers discovered that early cessation of breastfeeding can lead to the early introduction of certain harmful microbes linked to immune issues and asthma, while extended breastfeeding supports healthier microbial development.
  • The findings emphasize the significance of prolonged breastfeeding for better respiratory health in children and point to potential new targets for interventions aimed at preventing asthma.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the impact of the human milk microbiota (HMM) on the long-term health of children, particularly focusing on asthma and allergic conditions like atopy.
  • Researchers followed 885 mothers and their children from birth to age 5, linking HMM composition to the mothers' genetics and children's health outcomes.
  • Findings suggest that certain bacterial communities in human milk, especially decreased diversity and increased Lawsonella, are correlated with higher rates of childhood atopy and asthma, highlighting the genetic influence on HMM composition.
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Article Synopsis
  • This study explores the relationship between maternal genetics, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), and respiratory health in infants fed human milk.
  • Researchers quantified 19 HMOs from 980 mothers and identified genetic markers linked to HMOs on several chromosomes, including notable findings on chromosomes 19 and 3.
  • The study suggests that certain HMOs may help reduce the risk of respiratory issues, like recurrent wheezing, in preschoolers, depending on their genetic predispositions.
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