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The ORIGINS Project: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Nutrition Profile of Pregnant Women in a Longitudinal Birth Cohort

Pregnancy is an opportunistic time for dietary intake to influence future disease susceptibility in offspring later in life. The ORIGINS Project was established to identify the factors that contribute to 'a healthy start to life' through a focus supporting childhood health and preventing disease (including non-communicable diseases).

Study Protocol for a Stepped-Wedge Cluster (Nested) Randomized Controlled Trial of Antenatal Colostrum Expression (ACE) Instruction in First-Time Mothers: The ACE Study

Although many mothers initiate breastfeeding, supplementation with human-milk substitutes (formula) during the birth hospitalization is common and has been associated with early breastfeeding cessation. Colostrum hand expressed in the last few weeks before birth, known as antenatal colostrum expression (ACE), can be used instead of human-milk substitutes. However, evidence is lacking on the efficacy of ACE on breastfeeding outcomes and in non-diabetic mothers. 

Associations between the human immune system and gut microbiome with neurodevelopment in the first 5 years of life: A systematic scoping review

The aim of this review was to map the literature assessing associations between maternal or infant immune or gut microbiome biomarkers and child neurodevelopmental outcomes within the first 5 years of life. We conducted a PRISMA-ScR compliant review of peer-reviewed, English-language journal articles.

The Mediterranean Diet

This study aims to examine how a Mediterranean diet and exercise in pregnancy impacts on neonatal body fat composition at birth and weight at one year of age.

Feasibility of home-based urine collection in children under 5 years in the ORIGINS birth cohort study: mixed method protocol and sample completion results

Urine is an attractive biospecimen for nutritional status and population health surveys. It is an excellent non-invasive alternative to blood for appropriate biomarkers in young children and is suitable for home-based collection, enabling representative collections across a population. However, the bulk of literature in this population is restricted to collection in primary care settings.

Papers & Publications

Publications, papers and findings coming out of ORIGINS and its sub-projects

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Positive mental health, flourishing, and resilience to stress are not only critical to the overall wellbeing of a person but also their physical health, affecting both chronic and acute health conditions

Examining Sub-Fertility In a Prospective Birth Cohort

This research aims to examine subfertility in a population pregnancy cohort, analysing the underlying differences between sub fertile couples who conceive naturally, sub fertile couples who conceive using ART or non-IVF, and fertile couples.

Urinary Ferritin as a Non-Invasive Means of Assessing Iron Status in Young Children

Exploring whether urinary ferritin can be used as an alternative biomarker for measuring iron status in young children over blood draws.

Allergy, Inflammation & Immunity

ORIGINS has several sub-projects exploring allergy development within the cohort, with a focus on respiratory conditions such as asthma and nutritional strategies for allergy prevention.