Evidence of a plateau in the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children 0-4 years of age from a regional pediatric diabetes center; Auckland, New Zealand: 1977-2019

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of new onset type 1 diabetes in children aged 0-14 years from 1977 to 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A cohort study of children with type 1 diabetes aged 0-14 years (n = 1688; 50.4% male) managed by the regional diabetes service between 1977 and 2019. Incidence rates were estimated using census data.

RESULTS

The incidence of type 1 diabetes increased by 2.9%/year from 1977 to 2006 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.13% - 3.48%). Although there was no significant change from 2006 to 2019 (-0.3%/year, 95% CI -1.62% - 1.08%), there was a dramatic fall from 1976 to 2018 in the proportion of New Zealand Europeans, from 69.9 to 33.9%. New Zealand Europeans had the highest incidence (23.3/100,000, 95% CI 20.6-26.1) compared to Māori (8.3/100,000, 95% CI 6.3-10.2), Pasifika (8.6/100,000, 95% CI 6.9-10.4) and other (6.4/100,000, 95% CI 4.7-8.0). All groups showed an overall increase in incidence over time, Māori 4.4%/year, Pasifika 3.7%, compared to New Zealand European 2.7%, and other 2.1%. Incidence increased consistently in 5-9 and 10-14 year olds (2.0% and 2.2%/year, respectively). By contrast, whereas 0-4 year olds showed an increase of 4.6%/year from 1977 to 2003 (p < 0.01), there was no change from 2003 to 2019 (p = 0.2).

CONCLUSION

There has been a plateau in the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children 0-4 years of age in the Auckland region since 2003, but not older children. The apparent plateau in the overall incidence of new onset type 1 diabetes in children 0-14 years since 2006 was mediated by substantial changes in the ethnic makeup of the Auckland region.

Response to Bannenburg and Rice

This manuscript is a response to concerns expressed in a letter by industry-based scientists Bannenburg and Rice in response to our recent narrative review. In the review, we largely discussed why supplementation with n-3 PUFA rich oils might have benefits to the body composition and metabolism of the offspring of overweight or obese pregnant women. Bannenburg and Rice raised concerns about a number of points that may be perceived as negative about the quality and functionality of commercial fish oils. We provide a refutation to their comments and a brief review of recent evidence regarding the n-3 PUFA content, and oxidative state of supplements available to consumers. From a clinical research perspective, there remains a need to exercise caution. An oil containing less n-3 PUFAs than expected may be ineffective, and lead to incorrect conclusions that n-3 PUFAs lack efficacy. Oxidized fish oil may be ineffective or even cause unwanted harm. Although we must not overinterpret limited evidence from animal models, we have a responsibility to minimize risk to study participants, especially those most vulnerable, such as pregnant women. Prior to selecting a fish oil to be used in a clinical trial, it is essential to independently verify the n-3 PUFA content of the oil, and that the oil is unoxidized.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis for assessment of body composition in infants and young children-A systematic literature review

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is an easy to use, portable tool, but the accuracy of the technique in infants and young children (<24 months) remains unclear. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify studies that have developed and validated BIA equations in this age group. MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were searched for relevant literature published up until June 30, 2020, using terms related to bioelectrical impedance, body composition, and paediatrics. Two reviewers independently screened studies for eligibility, resulting in 15 studies that had developed and/or validated equations. Forty-six equations were developed and 34 validations were conducted. Most equations were developed in young infants (≤6 months), whereas only seven were developed among older infants and children (6-24 months). Most studies were identified as having a high risk of bias, and only a few included predominantly healthy children born at term. Using the best available evidence, BIA appears to predict body composition at least as well as other body composition tools; however, among younger infants BIA may provide little benefit over anthropometry-based prediction equations. Currently, none of the available equations can be recommended for use in research or in clinical practice.

Maternal and Infant Factors Influencing Human Milk Oligosaccharide Composition: Beyond Maternal Genetics

Maternal genetics is a key determinant of human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) composition in human milk. Beyond genetic status, other factors influencing the HMO profile are poorly defined. Thus, we aimed to review the existing evidence on the associations between nongenetic maternal and infant factors and HMO composition. A systematic search was performed on PubMed and Web of Science (without a time restriction) to identify any relevant studies published. In total, 1056 results were obtained, of which 29 articles were selected to be included in this review. The range of factors investigated include lactation stage, maternal pre-pregnancy BMI (ppBMI), maternal age, parity, maternal diet, mode of delivery, infant gestational age, and infant sex. The data suggest that, beyond maternal genetics, HMO composition seems to be influenced by all these factors, but the underlining mechanisms remain speculative. The published evidence is discussed in this review, along with potential implications for infant growth and development. For example, 2'-fucosyllactose, which was reportedly increased in mothers with higher ppBMIs, was also associated with increased infant weight and height. In addition, greater levels of sialylated HMOs after preterm birth may support brain development in these infants.

Omega-3 fats in pregnancy: could a targeted approach lead to better metabolic health for children?

The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing worldwide, and the children of women who are obese during pregnancy are at greatest risk. This risk may be mediated by exaggeration of the normal insulin resistance of pregnancy. Omega-3 (n-3) fats are insulin sensitizing. Supplementation during pregnancy may reduce metabolic risk and adiposity in the children. Though results from animal studies are encouraging, completed clinical trials have not demonstrated this benefit. However, to our knowledge, previous studies have not targeted women who are overweight or obese while pregnant-the group at greatest risk for insulin resistance and most likely to benefit from n-3. In this narrative review, the importance of performing clinical trials restricted to women who are overweight or obese is discussed, as is the potential importance of n-3 dose, oil source and quality, and the timing of the intervention.

The influence of body position on bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy measurements in young children

Bioelectrical impedance techniques are easy to use and portable tools for assessing body composition. While measurements vary according to standing vs supine position in adults, and fasting and bladder voiding have been proposed as additional important influences, these have not been assessed in young children. Therefore, the influence of position, fasting, and voiding on bioimpedance measurements was examined in children. Bioimpedance measurements (ImpediMed SFB7) were made in 50 children (3.38 years). Measurements were made when supine and twice when standing (immediately on standing and after four minutes). Impedance and body composition were compared between positions, and the effect of fasting and voiding was assessed. Impedance varied between positions, but body composition parameters other than fat mass (total body water, intra- and extra-cellular water, fat-free mass) differed by less than 5%. There were no differences according to time of last meal or void. Equations were developed to allow standing measurements of fat mass to be combined with supine measurements. In early childhood, it can be difficult to meet requirements for fasting, voiding, and lying supine prior to measurement. This study provides evidence to enable standing and supine bioimpedance measurements to be combined in cohorts of young children.

Strain engraftment competition and functional augmentation in a multi-donor fecal microbiota transplantation trial for obesity

BACKGROUND

Donor selection is an important factor influencing the engraftment and efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for complex conditions associated with microbial dysbiosis. However, the degree, variation, and stability of strain engraftment have not yet been assessed in the context of multiple donors.

METHODS

We conducted a double-blinded randomized control trial of FMT in 87 adolescents with obesity. Participants were randomized to receive multi-donor FMT (capsules containing the fecal microbiota of four sex-matched lean donors) or placebo (saline capsules). Following a bowel cleanse, participants ingested a total of 28 capsules over two consecutive days. Capsules from individual donors and participant stool samples collected at baseline, 6, 12, and 26 weeks post-treatment were analyzed by shotgun metagenomic sequencing allowing us to track bacterial strain engraftment and its functional implications on recipients' gut microbiomes.

RESULTS

Multi-donor FMT sustainably altered the structure and the function of the gut microbiome. In what was effectively a microbiome competition experiment, we discovered that two donor microbiomes (one female, one male) dominated strain engraftment and were characterized by high microbial diversity and a high Prevotella to Bacteroides (P/B) ratio. Engrafted strains led to enterotype-level shifts in community composition and provided genes that altered the metabolic potential of the community. Despite our attempts to standardize FMT dose and origin, FMT recipients varied widely in their engraftment of donor strains.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides evidence for the existence of FMT super-donors whose microbiomes are highly effective at engrafting in the recipient gut. Dominant engrafting male and female donor microbiomes harbored diverse microbial species and genes and were characterized by a high P/B ratio. Yet, the high variability of strain engraftment among FMT recipients suggests the host environment also plays a critical role in mediating FMT receptivity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The Gut Bugs trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( ACTRN12615001351505 ).

TRIAL PROTOCOL

The trial protocol is available at https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/4/e026174 . Video Abstract.

Participants' and caregivers' experiences of a multidisciplinary programme for healthy lifestyle change in Aotearoa/New Zealand: a qualitative, focus group study

OBJECTIVE

Child and adolescent obesity continues to be a major health issue internationally. This study aims to understand the views and experiences of caregivers and participants in a child and adolescent multidisciplinary programme for healthy lifestyle change.

DESIGN

Qualitative focus group study.

SETTING

Community-based healthy lifestyle intervention programme in a mixed urban-rural region of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

PARTICIPANTS

Parents/caregivers (n=6) and children/adolescents (n=8) who participated in at least 6 months of an assessment and weekly session, family-based community intervention programme for children and adolescents affected by obesity.

RESULTS

Findings covered participant experiences, healthy lifestyle changes due to participating in the programme, the delivery team, barriers to engagement and improvements. Across these domains, four key themes emerged from the focus groups for participants and their caregivers relating to their experience: knowledge-sharing, enabling a family to become self-determining in their process to achieve healthy lifestyle change; the importance of connectedness and a family-based programme; the sense of a collective journey and the importance of a nonjudgemental, respectful welcoming environment. Logistical challenges and recommendations for improvement were also identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Policymakers need to consider the experiences of participants alongside quantitative outcomes when informing multidisciplinary intervention programmes for children and adolescents affected by obesity.Trial registration number Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR):12611000862943; Post-results.

Prolonged transitional neonatal hypoglycaemia: characterisation of a clinical syndrome

BACKGROUND

We performed a case-control study to characterise infants with "prolonged transitional hypoglycaemia".

METHODS

Cases were born ≥36 weeks' gestation; had ≥1 hypoglycaemic episode <72 h and ≥72 h; received ongoing treatment for hypoglycaemia ≥72 h; and were without congenital disorders or acute illness. Cases were compared to controls born ≥36 weeks' with brief transitional hypoglycaemia, resolving <72 h.

RESULTS

39/471 infants screened met case definition: 71.8% were male, 61.5% were small-for-gestational-age (SGA), and most were admitted <6 h. Compared to controls (N = 75), key risk factors for prolonged transitional hypoglycaemia were SGA (OR = 6.4, 95%CI 2.7-15.1), severe/recurrent hypoglycaemia <24 h (OR = 16.7, 95%CI 4.5-16.1), intravenous glucose bolus <24 h (OR = 26.6, 95%CI 9.4-75.1) and maximum glucose delivery rate <48 h of ≥8 mg/kg/min (OR = 25.5, 95%CI 7.7-84.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Infants with prolonged transitional hypoglycaemia are predominantly male, SGA and have early severe/recurrent hypoglycaemia requiring glucose boluses and high glucose delivery rates in the first 24-48 h.

A prediction model for childhood obesity in New Zealand

Several early childhood obesity prediction models have been developed, but none for New Zealand's diverse population. We aimed to develop and validate a model for predicting obesity in 4-5-year-old New Zealand children, using parental and infant data from the Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) cohort. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) for age and sex ≥ 95th percentile. Data on GUiNZ children were used for derivation (n = 1731) and internal validation (n = 713). External validation was performed using data from the Prevention of Overweight in Infancy Study (POI, n = 383) and Pacific Islands Families Study (PIF, n = 135) cohorts. The final model included: birth weight, maternal smoking during pregnancy, maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, paternal BMI, and infant weight gain. Discrimination accuracy was adequate [AUROC = 0.74 (0.71-0.77)], remained so when validated internally [AUROC = 0.73 (0.68-0.78)] and externally on PIF [AUROC = 0.74 [0.66-0.82)] and POI [AUROC = 0.80 (0.71-0.90)]. Positive predictive values were variable but low across the risk threshold range (GUiNZ derivation 19-54%; GUiNZ validation 19-48%; and POI 8-24%), although more consistent in the PIF cohort (52-61%), all indicating high rates of false positives. Although this early childhood obesity prediction model could inform early obesity prevention, high rates of false positives might create unwarranted anxiety for families.

Lower insulin sensitivity remains a feature of children born very preterm

BACKGROUND

The first report of children born very preterm (<32 weeks of gestation) having insulin resistance was made 16 years ago. However, neonatal care has improved since. Thus, we aimed to assess whether children born very preterm still have lower insulin sensitivity than term controls.

METHODS

Participants were prepubertal children aged 5 to 11 years born very preterm (<32 weeks of gestation; n = 51; 61% boys) or at term (37-41 weeks; n = 50; 62% boys). Frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed, and insulin sensitivity was calculated using Bergman's minimal model. Additional clinical assessments included anthropometry, body composition using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans, clinic blood pressure, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

RESULTS

Children born very preterm were 0.69 standard deviation score (SDS) lighter (P < .001), 0.53 SDS shorter (P = .003), and had body mass index 0.57 SDS lower (P = .003) than children born at term. Notably, children born very preterm had insulin sensitivity that was 25% lower than term controls (9.4 vs 12.6 × 10^-4 minutes^-1 ·[mU/L]; P = .001). Other parameters of glucose metabolism, including fasting insulin levels, were similar in the two groups. The awake systolic blood pressure (from 24-hour monitoring) tended to be 3.1 mm Hg higher on average in children born very preterm (P = .054), while the clinic systolic blood pressure was 5.4 mm Hg higher (P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower insulin sensitivity remains a feature of children born very preterm, despite improvements in neonatal intensive care. As reported in our original study, our findings suggest the defect in insulin action in prepubertal children born very pretermis primarily peripheral and not hepatic.

Systematic review of randomised controlled trials to improve dietary intake for the prevention of obesity in infants aged 0-24 months

Improving dietary intake early in life is a common behavioural target in obesity prevention trials. We undertook a systematic review of randomised controlled trials aiming to improve dietary intake of complementary foods during infancy (0-24 months). PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Medline, and PsycInfo were searched for trials focussed on obesity prevention conducted between January 2000 and August 2019 where dietary intake was an outcome. Two reviewers screened studies and extracted data from selected articles. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias 2 tools. The protocol was registered on Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/6srg7/). Seventeen articles from 12 trials were selected for data extraction. Statistically significant group differences in outcomes were observed in 36 of 165 (21.8%) of dietary variables examined. Measurement and analysis of outcomes varied between studies. Overall risk of bias was rated as high, primarily due to missing outcome data. Improving dietary intake at this age appears challenging based on a relatively limited number of studies. Future research could consider dietary pattern analyses, which may provide more meaningful outcomes for this age group. Opportunities exist for further exploration of maternal-focussed interventions, responsive feeding interventions, and interventions delivered outside of homes.

Surrogate markers and predictors of endogenous insulin secretion in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND

No studies have examined endogenous insulin secretion in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes in China using the gold-standard mixed-meal tolerance test. Because the latter is labor-intensive, we examined simpler surrogate markers of endogenous insulin secretion in Chinese youth, as previously reported for a European population.

METHODS

Participants were 57 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes aged 4.4-16.8 years (56% females). We performed 120-minute mixed-meal tolerance tests with serum C-peptide (CP) measurements every 30 minutes. Severe insulin deficiency (SID) was defined as CP peak < 0.2 nmol/L. Urine CP and creatinine levels were measured at 0 and 120 minutes.

RESULTS

Twenty-five (44%) patients had SID. Fasting CP levels missed one case (96% sensitivity) with no false positives (100% specificity). While the 120-minute urine CP/creatinine had 100% sensitivity, it yielded markedly lower specificity (63%). Every 1-year increase in diabetes duration and 1-year decrease in age at diagnosis were associated with 37% (P < 0.001) and 20% (P = 0.005) reductions in serum CP area-under-the-curve, respectively. Thus, 86% of children aged < 5 years had SID compared to none among patients aged ≥ 11 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Simple fasting CP measurements could be used to detect most SID cases in Chinese youth with type 1 diabetes. Fasting CP is a far more reliable measure of endogenous insulin secretion than the more commonly used insulin dose. Therefore, it could more precisely determine insulin secretory capacity to target those who could benefit, if treatments to preserve residual insulin secretion are developed.

The views of pregnant women in New Zealand on vaginal seeding: a mixed-methods study

Background

Vaginal seeding is the administration of maternal vaginal bacteria to babies following birth by caesarean section (CS), intended to mimic the microbial exposure that occurs during vaginal birth. Appropriate development of the infant gut microbiome assists early immune development and might help reduce the risk of certain health conditions later in life, such as obesity and asthma. We aimed to explore the views of pregnant women on this practice.

Methods

We conducted a sequential mixed-methods study on the views of pregnant women in New Zealand (NZ) on vaginal seeding. Phase one: brief semi-structured interviews with pregnant women participating in a clinical trial of vaginal seeding (n = 15); and phase two: online questionnaire of pregnant women throughout NZ (not in the trial) (n = 264). Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to interview and open-ended questionnaire data. Closed-ended questionnaire responses were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results

Six themes were produced through analysis of the open-ended data: “seeding replicates a natural process”, “microbiome is in the media”, “seeding may have potential benefits”, “seeking validation by a maternity caregiver”, “seeding could help reduce CS guilt”, and “the unknowns of seeding”. The idea that vaginal seeding replicates a natural process was suggested by some as an explanation to help overcome any initial negative perceptions of it. Many considered vaginal seeding to have potential benefit for the gut microbiome, while comparatively fewer considered it to be potentially beneficial for specific conditions such as obesity. Just under 30% of questionnaire respondents (n = 78; 29.5%) had prior knowledge of vaginal seeding, while most (n = 133; 82.6%) had an initially positive or neutral reaction to it. Few respondents changed their initial views on the practice after reading provided evidence-based information (n = 60; 22.7%), but of those who did, most became more positive (n = 51; 86.4%).

Conclusions

Given its apparent acceptability, and if shown to be safe and effective for the prevention of early childhood obesity, vaginal seeding could be a non-stigmatising approach to prevention of this condition among children born by CS. Our findings also highlight the importance of lead maternity carers in NZ remaining current in their knowledge of vaginal seeding research.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-020-03500-y.

Double-blind RCT of fish oil supplementation in pregnancy and lactation to improve the metabolic health in children of mothers with overweight or obesity during pregnancy: study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Maternal obesity during pregnancy is associated with adverse changes in body composition and metabolism in the offspring. We hypothesise that supplementation during pregnancy of overweight and obese women may help prevent the development of greater adiposity and metabolic dysfunction in children. Previous clinical trials investigating fish oil supplementation in pregnancy on metabolic outcomes and body composition of the children have not focused on the pregnancies of overweight or obese women.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A double-blind randomised controlled trial of fish oil (providing 3 g/day of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) versus an equal volume of olive oil (control) taken daily from recruitment until birth, and in breastfeeding mothers, further continued for 3 months post partum. Eligible women will have a singleton pregnancy at 12-20 weeks' gestation and be aged 18-40 years with body mass index ≥25 kg/m² at baseline. We aim to recruit a minimum of 128 participants to be randomised 1:1. Clinical assessments will be performed at baseline and 30 weeks of pregnancy, including anthropometric measurements, fasting metabolic markers, measures of anxiety, physical activity, quality of life and dietary intake. Subsequent assessments will be performed when the infant is 2 weeks, 3 months and 12 months of age for anthropometry, body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)) and blood sampling. The primary outcome of the study is a between-group difference in infant percentage body fatness, assessed by DXA, at 2 weeks of age. Secondary outcomes will include differences in anthropometric measures at each time point, percentage body fat at 3 and 12 months and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance at 3 months. Statistical analysis will be carried out on the principle of intention to treat.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This trial was approved by the Northern A Health and Disabilities Ethics Committee, New Zealand Ministry of Health (17/NTA/154). Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12617001078347p; Pre-results.

Effects of Fecal Microbiome Transfer in Adolescents With Obesity: The Gut Bugs Randomized Controlled Trial

IMPORTANCE

Treatment of pediatric obesity is challenging. Preclinical studies in mice indicated that weight and metabolism can be altered by gut microbiome manipulation.

OBJECTIVE

To assess efficacy of fecal microbiome transfer (FMT) to treat adolescent obesity and improve metabolism.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial (October 2017-March 2019) with a 26-week follow-up was conducted among adolescents aged 14 to 18 years with a body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of 30 or more in Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 87 individuals took part-565 individuals responded to advertisements, 328 were ineligible, and 150 declined participation. Clinical data were analyzed from September 2019 to May 2020.

INTERVENTIONS

Single course of oral encapsulated fecal microbiome from 4 healthy lean donors of the same sex or saline placebo.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Primary outcome was BMI standard deviation score at 6 weeks using intention-to-treat analysis. Secondary outcomes included body composition, cardiometabolic parameters, well-being, and gut microbiome composition.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven participants (59% female adolescents, mean [SD] age 17.2 [1.4] years) were randomized 1:1, in groups stratified by sex, to FMT (42 participants) or placebo (45 participants). There was no effect of FMT on BMI standard deviation score at 6 weeks (adjusted mean difference [aMD] -0.026; 95% CI -0.074, 0.022). Reductions in android-to-gynoid-fat ratio in the FMT vs placebo group were observed at 6, 12, and 26 weeks, with aMDs of -0.021 (95% CI, -0.041 to -0.001), -0.023 (95% CI, -0.043 to -0.003), and -0.029 (95% CI, -0.049 to -0.008), respectively. There were no observed effects on insulin sensitivity, liver function, lipid profile, inflammatory markers, blood pressure, total body fat percentage, gut health, and health-related quality of life. Gut microbiome profiling revealed a shift in community composition among the FMT group, maintained up to 12 weeks. In post-hoc exploratory analyses among participants with metabolic syndrome at baseline, FMT led to greater resolution of this condition (18 to 4) compared with placebo (13 to 10) by 26 weeks (adjusted odds ratio, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01-0.45; P = .007). There were no serious adverse events recorded throughout the trial.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this randomized clinical trial of adolescents with obesite, there was no effect of FMT on weight loss in adolescents with obesity, although a reduction in abdominal adiposity was observed. Post-hoc analyses indicated a resolution of undiagnosed metabolic syndrome with FMT among those with this condition. Further trials are needed to confirm these results and identify organisms and mechanisms responsible for mediating the observed benefits.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Identifier: ACTRN12615001351505.

High prevalence of undiagnosed comorbidities among adolescents with obesity

Metabolic diseases are increasing among adolescents with obesity. Although the reported prevalence of metabolic syndrome is approximately 30% worldwide, its prevalence is largely unknown among New Zealand adolescents. Therefore, we assessed the health of adolescents with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) enrolled in a randomised clinical trial (Gut Bugs Trial), to identify the prevalence of undiagnosed comorbidities. Assessments included anthropometry, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and insulin sensitivity. We report on baseline data (pre-randomisation) on 87 participants (14–18 years; 59% females), with mean BMI 36.9 ± 5.3 kg/m² (BMI SDS 3.33 ± 0.79). Approximately 40% of participants had undiagnosed metabolic syndrome, which was twice as common among males. Half (53%) had pre-diabetes and 92% a reduction in insulin sensitivity. Moreover, 31% had pre-hypertension/hypertension, 69% dyslipidaemia, and 25% abnormal liver function. Participants with class III obesity had a greater risk of metabolic syndrome than those with classes I/II [relative risk 1.99 (95% CI 1.19, 3.34)]. Risks for pre-hypertension/hypertension and inflammation were also greater among those with class III obesity. We identified a high prevalence of undiagnosed comorbidities among adolescents with obesity in New Zealand. As adolescent obesity tracks into adulthood, early interventions are needed to prevent progression to overt cardiometabolic diseases.

Do Human Milk Oligosaccharides Protect Against Infant Atopic Disorders and Food Allergy?

Atopic disorders (AD), often coexistent with food allergy (FA), start developing in early life and have lifelong health consequences. Breastfeeding is thought to be protective against AD and FA, but the data are controversial, and mechanisms are not well understood. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are complex carbohydrates that are abundant in human milk. These are thought to contribute to the development of the infant immune system by (i) promoting healthy microbiome, (ii) inhibiting pathogen binding to gut mucosa and (iii) modulating the immune system. Differences in microbiome composition between allergic and healthy infants have been observed, regardless of breastfeeding history. To date, limited studies have examined the preventive effects of HMOs on AD and FA in infants and current data relies on observation studies as trials of varying HMO intake through randomising individuals to breastfeeding are unethical. There is evidence for beneficial effects of breastfeeding on lowering the risks of FA, eczema and asthma but there are inconsistencies amongst studies in the duration of breastfeeding, diagnostic criteria for AD and the age at which the outcome was assessed. Furthermore, current analytical methods primarily used today only allow detection of 16-20 major HMOs while more than 100 types have been identified. More large-scale longitudinal studies are required to investigate the role of HMO composition and the impact of changes over the lactation period in preventing AD and FA later in life.

Safety, feasibility and efficacy of side-alternating vibration therapy on bone and muscle health in children and adolescents with musculoskeletal disorders: A pilot trial

AIMS

A pilot study was performed to establish the safety, feasibility and efficacy of vibration therapy (VT) on bone and muscle health in children and adolescents with a range of musculoskeletal disorders.

METHODS

Seventeen participants (15.7 years ± 2.9 years), with conditions that impacted on their musculoskeletal health, completed 20 weeks of side-alternating VT for 9 min/session, 4 times/week at 20 Hz. Data were collected at baseline and after 20 weeks of intervention. Assessments included whole-body dual-energyX-ray absorptiometry, muscle function (force plate) and 6-min walk test.

RESULTS

Compliance with the prescribed VT training protocol was relatively high overall at 78% and there were no adverse events reported. After 20 weeks intervention, functional assessments showed time taken to perform the chair test was reduced by 15% (P = 0.018), leg balance improved with standard ellipse area decreasing by 88% (P = 0.006) and distance walked in the 6-min walk test improved by 9% (P = 0.002). Participants displayed increased total body mass (1.94 kg; P = 0.018) with increased lean mass (1.20 kg; P = 0.019) but not fat mass (P = 0.19). There was no change in total body bone mineral density (P = 0.44) or bone mineral content (P = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Twenty weeks of side-alternating VT was a feasible protocol that was associated with improvements in physical function and no detrimental effects on lean mass, bone mass or density in children and adolescents with musculoskeletal disorders.

Maternal bacteria to correct abnormal gut microbiota in babies born by C-section

INTRODUCTION

There is evidence that caesarean section (CS) is associated with increased risk of childhood obesity, asthma, and coeliac disease. The gut microbiota of CS-born babies differs to those born vaginally, possibly due to reduced exposure to maternal vaginal bacteria during birth. Vaginal seeding is a currently unproven practice intended to reduce such differences, so that the gut microbiota of CS-born babies is similar to that of babies born vaginally. Our pilot study, which uses oral administration as a novel form of vaginal seeding, will assess the degree of maternal strain transfer and overall efficacy of the procedure for establishing normal gut microbiota development.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Protocol for a single-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study of a previously untested method of vaginal seeding (oral administration) in 30 CS-born babies. A sample of maternal vaginal bacteria is obtained prior to CS, and mixed with 5 ml sterile water to obtain a supernatant. Healthy babies are randomized at 1:1 to receive active treatment (3 ml supernatant) or placebo (3 ml sterile water). A reference group of 15 non-randomized vaginal-born babies are also being recruited. Babies' stool samples will undergo whole metagenomic shotgun sequencing to identify potential differences in community structure between CS babies receiving active treatment compared to those receiving placebo at age 1 month (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes include differences in overall gut community between CS groups (24 hours, 3 months); similarity of CS-seeded and placebo gut profiles to vaginally-born babies (24 hours, 1 and 3 months); degree of maternal vaginal strain transfer in CS-born babies (24 hours, 1 and 3 months); anthropometry (1 and 3 months) and body composition (3 months).

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval by the Northern A Health and Disability Ethics Committee (18/NTA/49). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences.

REGISTRATION

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618000339257).

Gut microbiome transfer-Finding the perfect fit

Gut microbiome transfer (GMT; also referred to as faecal microbiota transplantation or FMT) has been propelled from fringe therapy to mainstream science as a highly effective treatment for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. As a result, there has been great interest in the potential efficacy and safety of GMT in treating other medical conditions, for example inflammatory bowel disease, and more recently as a novel therapy for obesity and metabolic diseases. For these chronic conditions, the results from clinical trials have been mixed. Further, specifically in obesity and metabolic diseases, there are limited available data, with only a few published studies with a small number of participants and short duration of follow-up. Therefore, this review aims to explore the human, microbial and formulation factors that may affect the success of GMT. This includes various aspects in the preparation and administration of GMT, such as stool processing, modes of delivery, pretreatment with antibiotics and/or bowel lavage, frequency of GMT and possible use of precision bacteriotherapy. In addition, we examine the potential use of GMT in obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic diseases based on current available literature, highlighting some recent advances in GMT research in this area, as well as potential adverse effects after GMT therapy.

Differences in Compositions of Gut Bacterial Populations and Bacteriophages in 5-11 Year-Olds Born Preterm Compared to Full Term

Preterm infants are exposed to major perinatal, post-natal, and early infancy events that could impact on the gut microbiome. These events include infection, steroid and antibiotic exposure, parenteral nutrition, necrotizing enterocolitis, and stress. Studies have shown that there are differences in the gut microbiome during the early months of life in preterm infants. We hypothesized that differences in the gut microbial composition and metabolites in children born very preterm persist into mid-childhood. Participants were healthy prepubertal children aged 5-11 years who were born very preterm (≤32 weeks of gestation; n = 51) or at term (37-41 weeks; n = 50). We recorded the gestational age, birth weight, mode of feeding, mode of birth, age, sex, and the current height and weight of our cohort. We performed a multi'omics [i.e., 16S rRNA amplicon and shotgun metagenomic sequencing, SPME-GCMS (solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry)] analysis to investigate the structure and function of the fecal microbiome (as a proxy of the gut microbiota) in our cross-sectional cohort. Children born very preterm were younger (7.8 vs. 8.3 years; p = 0.034), shorter [height-standard deviation score (SDS) 0.31 vs. 0.92; p = 0.0006) and leaner [BMI (body mass index) SDS -0.20 vs. 0.29; p < 0.0001] than the term group. Children born very preterm had higher fecal calprotectin levels, decreased fecal phage richness, lower plasma arginine, lower fecal branched-chain amino acids and higher fecal volatile (i.e., 3-methyl-butanoic acid, butyrolactone, butanoic acid and pentanoic acid) profiles. The bacterial microbiomes did not differ between preterm and term groups. We speculate that the observed very preterm-specific changes were established in early infancy and may impact on the capacity of the very preterm children to respond to environmental changes.

Why BMI should still be on the table

Childhood obesity is common in New Zealand with one in three 4-5 year-old children identified as overweight or obese in the before school check (B4SC) programme. Recently, the use of BMI for assessing childhood obesity in the B4SC programme has been questioned. This article provides evidence in support of the assessment of BMI during the B4SC, including specific key points: 1. BMI is currently the only appropriate field tool for assessing overweight and obesity.2. Our New Zealand data show that BMI is reliable at measuring adiposity in all ethnic groups. 3. High childhood BMI often leads to adult obesity and is associated with increased adult morbidity and mortality. 4. We believe parents do want to know information regarding their child's obesity risk, based on recent findings in our New Zealand study.