Clinical Research Directory

The UFIM (Ultraprocessed Foods In Breast Milk) Project

In last decades, a change in dietary habits has been observed in industrialized countries characterized by a drastic increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF, Ultra-Processed Foods). As defined by the NOVA classification, UPFs are industrial formulations of food substances added with colourings, flavourings, emulsifiers, thickeners and other additives. Among the main compounds of UPFs are the advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Increasing evidence suggests an association between dietary exposure to AGEs and the development of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as obesity and allergies, in the general population, through increased oxidative stress and inflammation. Preliminary evidence suggests that a maternal diet rich in AGEs during pregnancy and lactation could negatively influence the composition of breast milk and have a negative impact on the infants health. However, data regarding the presence of derivatives of UPFs in breast milk are not available. The UFIM (Ultraprocessed Foods In Breast Milk) study aims at evaluate the presence of UPFs-derivatives compounds in breast milk.

GenerationGemelli: Longitudinal Study for the Evaluation of the Maternal Exposome on the Health of the Newborn and Child

The study involves the establishment of a case-control study within a birth cohort. With approximately 4,000 annual deliveries, the aim is to enroll 140 cases (newborns with intrauterine growth restriction \[IUGR\] and premature birth) and 280 controls each year, starting from September 2022. A comprehensive questionnaire will be utilized to gather information about various types of maternal environmental exposures before and during pregnancy. Biological samples will be collected from both mothers and newborns (including vaginal swab, placenta sample, blood, saliva, meconium, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) at birth and within the early hours of the newborn's life. Laboratory examinations will include the measurement of heavy metals and essential elements, investigation of placental distress and fetal brain damage biomarkers, analysis of microbiota, and assessment of DNA methylation profiles. Clinical follow-up assessments will be conducted in both cases and controls at 12 and 24 months, during which anthropometric data, types of feeding with particular reference to breastfeeding and its duration, pediatric emergency room visits, hospitalizations, medication usage, known allergies, and neuropsychological development will be collected.