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Research
Maternal Serum Vitamin D Levels During Pregnancy and Offspring Neurocognitive DevelopmentNew research links poor language to lack of Vitamin D in womb.
Research
Demographic and clinical predictors of vitamin D status in pregnant women tested for deficiency in Western AustraliaThis study aimed to describe the vitamin D status of pregnant women in Western Australia and identify predictors of deficiency in pregnancy. A cross-sectional study was conducted using linked data from statewide administrative data collections.
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Associations between sun exposure, skin pH, and epidermal permeability in pregnancy: A longitudinal observational studyLittle is known about how sun exposure may affect the maternal skin barrier during pregnancy when many hormonal and physiological changes occur. In this longitudinal observational study, 50 pregnant women were recruited at 18-24 weeks' gestation, 25 in summer-autumn, and 25 in winter-spring. At three time points in pregnancy at 18-24, 28-30, and 36-38 weeks' gestation, participants completed a validated sun exposure questionnaire and had skin permeability and surface pH measured on the volar forearm.
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Vitamin D 3 deficiency enhances allergen-induced lymphocyte responses in a mouse model of allergic airway diseaseIn this study, using a mouse model, we determined whether vitamin D deficiency in utero and during early life modulated the severity of asthma.
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UV exposure and protection against allergic airways diseaseAsthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the small and large conducting airway mucosa characterised by Th2 cell immunity.
News & Events
Chronic lung disease link targeted in new research studyA link between chronic lung disease and low Vitamin D levels is the focus of a new study just started by the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.
News & Events
The value of Vitamin DResearch has shown that vitamin D levels can have an impact on many aspects of a child's health, including lung growth, language development and eating patterns
Research
Beneficial health effects of ultraviolet radiation: expert review and conference reportCarcinogenic effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) with reference to skin cancer are the basis of widely implemented recommendations to avoid sun exposure. Whether the benefits of "restrictive sun policies" outweigh their potential harms due to diminished beneficial effects of sunlight exposure remain a matter of controversy.
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Pre-and Postnatal Vitamin D Status and Allergy Outcomes in Early ChildhoodThe dramatic increase in the prevalence of allergic disease in recent decades reflects environmental and behavioural changes that have altered patterns of early immune development. The very early onset of allergic diseases points to the specific vulnerability of the developing immune system to environmental changes and the development of primary intervention strategies is crucial to address this unparalleled burden.
Research
Developing an Online Tool to Promote Safe Sun Behaviors With Young Teenagers as Co-researchersDespite education about the risks of excessive sun exposure, teenagers in Australia are sun-seeking, with sunburn common in summer. Conversely, some regular (time-limited) exposure to sunlight (that avoids sunburn) is necessary for vitamin D and healthy bones and other molecules important for immune and metabolic health. New interventions are thus required to better support teenagers to make healthy and balanced decisions about their sun behaviors.