Evidence is mounting that the bacteria in a mother’s digestive system, known as microbiome, can influence the health of babies, including whether or not they develop chronic conditions such as Type 1 Diabetes (read the The Herald Sun's full article here).
This is good news for researchers working on ENDIA, Australia’s largest study into the causes of Type 1 Diabetes, as the microbiome is one of the factors under investigation.
Professor Liz Davis, the lead investigator for the ENDIA study in WA and co-director of the Children’s Diabetes Centre, said the study aimed to follow 1400 babies from pregnancy through to childhood to determine which factors triggered, or protected against, the development of Type 1 Diabetes.
“We have 865 families enrolled, 124 in WA, so we are seeking more families living with Type 1 Diabetes to join the study,” she said.
For more information on the ENDIA study or to take part, visit www.endia.org.au
Photo: Parents Louis and Gracie Grech with Amelia, 5, Oliver, 4, and Lawrence, 16 months. Gracie has Type 1 Diabetes, as does her daughter Amelia. The Grechs are part of the ENDIA study.