What is Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition of the gastrointestinal tract that is associated with an imbalance in the microbiome. Diet can rapidly affect the microbiome and may play a role in the pathogenesis and treatment of Crohn' s disease.
Healthier Immune System in Infants Born to Mothers with Crohn’s Disease
Accumulating evidence suggests that maternal health and diet during pregnancy and early life have an impact on the baby's microbiome composition and immune system development, with long-term health consequences, including establishing predisposition to Crohn' s disease and other immune-mediated diseases.
By modulating maternal microbiome during pregnancy through diet, we, researchers at the UMass Chan Medical School, hope to be able to promote healthier immune system development in infants born to mothers with Crohn's disease.
Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of a Diet
The MELODY Trial, conducted by the UMass Chan Medical School and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, will test whether a noninvasive diet intervention implemented during the third trimester of pregnancy can beneficially shift the microbiome, or the bacterial flora of the body, in patients with Crohn' s disease and in their babies.
We are currently enrolling expecting mothers with or without Crohn’s disease, and in their third trimester (<27 weeks). Participation involves the collection of stools, saliva, health status, and dietary questionnaires and others from pregnant women, as well as stool samples from their infants during the first year after birth. Women with Crohn’s disease will be allowed to select whether they participate in the diet intervention, which has been adapted for pregnancy.
If you are interested in the MELODY trial or know someone who may be, please visit or share our trial page!
About Ana Maldonado-Contreras
Ana is an Assistant Professor at UMass Chan Medical School, part time microbiologist, and part time science advocate. She is a clinical translational researcher focused on understanding the interaction of diet, microbiota, and disease. According to her research, microbiota provides tremendous benefits to the body, including protecting us for malicious bacteria (pathogens) and helping train our immune system to respond properly to viruses.
Ana's lab investigates how manipulation of the microbiota, through diet, can benefit patient outcomes, particularly those suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases.
You can find Ana on Twitter @almaldonxx.
