Description:

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) are increasingly recognized to promoting health and prevent disease in the breastfed newborn. Evidence will be presented showing that HMO derived from pooled donor breast milk and synthetic products mimicking constituents of HMO prevent intestinal injury in a pre-clinical (mouse pup) model of necrotizing enterocolitis. The effects are mediated, at least in part, via HMO mediated enhancement of mucosal innate immunity (mucin production).

Learning Objectives:

1. Address the role of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in shaping the gut microbiota
2. Consider some pre-clinical science supporting the use of HMOs to prevent intestinal injury

Description:

The CHILD Cohort Study (www.childstudy.ca) is following 3500 Canadian families from pregnancy onwards to understand the developmental origins of chronic diseases. We have shown that breastfeeding is associated with reduced risks of childhood asthma, and these beneficial effects appear to be partly mediated by the infant gut microbiome. Current research in the Azad lab (www.azadlab.ca) is focused on understanding how breastfeeding practices and breast milk components (including microbes and oligosaccharides) shape the developing infant nasal and gut microbiomes and contribute to health and disease trajectories. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Provide an overview of the CHILD Cohort Study as a clinical research platform for the investigation of maternal/infant nutrition, human milk composition, gut microbiota and infant/child health
2. Discuss CHILD research demonstrating associations between human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and infant gut microbiota in breastfed infants
3. Discuss CHILD research demonstrating associations between HMOs and atopic sensitization in breastfed infants

Description:

Globally, vitamin D deficiency has been claimed as ‘public health problem’ of particular significance in pregnant women due to its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as insulin resistance, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes mellitus. In infants, exposure to maternal vitamin D deficiency in utero is associated with preterm birth and fetal growth restriction, and during early infancy it has been associated with rickets, asthma and possibly autism. Despite this knowledge, it is uncertain as to the extent to which vitamin D deficiency exists in Canada in pregnant women and infants and the clinical consequences. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss current understanding of the functional role of vitamin D in fetal and early life.
2. Review knowledge of vitamin D intakes and status of Canadian pregnant women, infants and young toddlers. 
3. Propose approaches for ensuring optimal vitamin D status in Canadian women and their offspring.  

Over the past years, vitamin D has received considerable attention for its extra-skeletal actions. The immunomodulation impact of vitamin D is being increasing explored in several inflammatory conditions, including asthma and respiratory infections.  Childhood asthma, an inflammatory condition that is frequently exacerbated by respiratory infections, appears as a condition that could particularly benefit from vitamin D supplementation. This presentation addresses the recent mechanistic and clinical evidence exploring the potential impact of vitamin D in respiratory infections and childhood asthma, and highlights ongoing clinical research to clarify its role. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Explore the potential mechanistic evidence for a role of vitamin D in asthma and respiratory infection
2. Review the evidence derived from observational trials and supplementation trials
3. Recognize the remaining gaps in knowledge and ongoing trials to address them