Epidemiology and Cohorts | NAMIBIO

In this subproject, a comprehensive catalog of variables that might be considered as potential predictors of food allergy in children will be established as a first step. This will be based on data available in at least one of the four cohorts (KUNO Kids, LIFE Child, UBCS, and SPATZ).

• Harmonize data on potential predictors and food allergy ascertained across cohorts and provide these data to SP2 and SP3.
• Contribute to the identification of a biomarker panel that commits to the determination of food allergy risk by providing cord blood samples and phenotype data to SP2
• Refine phenotype definitions of food allergy cross-cohorts for later analysis against background of evidence regarding the course of food allergies in children (0 to 18 years).
• Generate a theory-based model of early life causes of food allergy to supplement the hypothesis-free approach taken in SP3.
• Conduct the second phase of validation of the biomarker panel in cord blood (Biomarker Set) defined in SP2 in an independent validation sample including clinical examinations in the existing settings of KUNO Kids and LIFE Child.

• Ulm SPATZ Health Study (SPATZ): This is a birth cohort study with 1,006 children enrolled between 04/2012 and 05/2013 in Ulm, Germany.
• KUNO Kids: This is the largest active German birth cohort study, which aims to recruit a total of 5000-10,000 children and their families in Regensburg, Germany.
• LIFE Child: This is a child cohort study actively enrolling children and their mothers from pregnancy to age 18 years every calendar year since 2011 with cross-sectional and longitudinal assessments (current total n=4,829 children).
• Ulm Birth Cohort Study (UBCS): 1,090 children were enrolled between November 2000 and November 2001 in Ulm, Germany.

• The cohorts assembled in SP1 have extensive bio banked samples as well as a wealth of clinical and environmental data at their disposal
• Timely support of other SPs towards achieving their milestones:
   
• Providing appropriate cord blood samples to SP2
• Providing necessary FA correlated risk factors to SP3
   
• Substantial contribution to the existing literature generating evidence on food allergy phenotypes across childhood and a comprehensive theory-based model of early life causes of food allergy.

Principal Investigator
Prof Dr med Jon Genuneit
Prof Dr med Michael Kabesch

Team
Monika Zaufall
Dr Rihab Omer Hamid
Zhuoxin Peng