CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL FOOD ALLERGY STUDY

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The causes of food allergy are largely unknown. However, based on available epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory research, food allergy appears to be a complex trait and may be affected by both prenatal and postnatal environmental factors as well as genetic factors. The overall goal of this study is to better understand natural history of food allergy and the role of prenatal and postnatal environmental factors as well as genetic factors in the development and prognosis of food allergy. We also hope to identify novel serum and genetic biomarkers for more accurate means of defining food allergy subtypes, prognosis, and therapeutic targets. We propose to conduct a multi-site observational study with the goal to better understand the natural history and etiology of food allergy by analyzing and integrating data from three complementary study cohorts. Specifically, we hope: 1. To prospectively follow the existent birth cohort at Boston Medical Center (BMC), ~3,000 mother-infant pairs. The Boston birth cohort is well suited for assessing the impact of prenatal and postnatal environment factors, susceptible genes, and cord blood biomarkers in relation to food allergy development and prognosis in childhood. The field data collection procedures are similar to the current CMH IRB protocol # 2004-12324 "BMC Children's Health Study," except that we would like to add (1) additional questions on food allergy in the questionnaire and medical record abstraction; and (2) skin prick test and to measure additional biomarkers related to food allergy. The "BMC Children's Health Study" also has received IRB approval from the Boston University Medical Center. 2. To prospectively follow the existing Chinese twin cohort of about 2000 twin pairs (4,000 subjects) that are 6 years of age and older; Chinese twin cohort offers an ideal tool to estimate heritability (relative role of environmental and genetic factors) of food allergy. The field data collection procedures are similar to the current CMH IRB protocol # 2005-12438 "Epidemiology of Metabolic Syndrome in Children," except that we would like to add (1) additional questions on food allergy in the questionnaire; (2) a skin prick test and to measure additional biomarkers for food allergy. The "Epidemiology of Metabolic Syndrome in Children" also has received IRB approval from the Anhui Medical University in China 3. To establish a prospective clinical cohort at Children's Memorial Hospital, including about 450 nuclear families with at least one child having food allergy (case families) and about 450 control families without any food allergies. The Chicago clinical cohort can serve as an independent population for validating the findings from Boston and Chinese cohorts and lay the foundation for future translational research. The field data collection procedures include: (1) a questionnaire interview; (2) a medical record review; (3) venous blood sample collection and a test of biomarkers for food allergy; (4) a skin prick test; and (5) a pulmonary function test among study subjects aged 6 or older. The unique strength of this study is that it will be conducted as an in-depth cross-sectional and longitudinal investigation on inter-relations and temporal relations among both established and novel food allergy phenotypes and will explore the role of environmental and genetic factors in the development and prognosis of food allergy. This study represents an opportunity to integrate data from three complementary study cohorts. Scientifically, it is ideal to utilize one population for discovery, and to use another for confirmation. These three cohorts together will create a unique and rich database for developing new research initiatives and competing for NIH and other extramural grants.