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Open Access 01-12-2019 | Atopic Dermatitis | Study protocol

The effect of an educational program for pregnant women to prevent allergic diseases in infants: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Rie Nakamura, Nao Ishiguro, Eiji Naru, Yukiko Ishitsuka, Masato Nakade, Yoko Nezu

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Background

Allergic diseases in infants have dramatically increased in developed countries during the past few decades. To date, extensive research has been done on risk factors for allergies in infancy, and preventive measures against them. However, the effect of the primary approach to preventing infantile allergy is still limited.

The aim of this trial is to evaluate whether prenatal education interventions, including the latest public research results on allergic diseases, prevent the onset of infant allergies.

Methods/design

We designed a randomized controlled, two-arm (standard prenatal education vs our education), parallel-group, assessor-blind trial. A sample of 120 pregnant women will be recruited at Chiba Aiyu-kai Kinen Hospital and allocation is by computer-generated randomization.

Pregnant women in the intervention arm participate in the childbirth education program established by the specialist and a pediatric allergy educator. The program was developed based on evidences supporting interventions on primary prevention, which are suggested to be beneficial to infantile allergies in recent studies.

The primary objective of the study is to determine whether it is possible to establish effective behaviors for allergy prevention in early infancy in the children of pregnant women who participate in an educational program developed by pediatric allergy specialists. Four months after birth, their behaviors will be compared against those of pregnant women who did not participate in the program.

Discussion

Allergies are common in many individuals worldwide, and can be present from babyhood through the person’s lifetime. One of the strong points of this study is that it should provide pregnant women with accumulated information on preventive knowledge against allergy, that can be effective in some cases, and that women can apply a combination of these behaviors before and after pregnancy. The results of our program will be publicized to help change the behaviors of mothers, and, if the program is effective, for preventing allergies in infants, it will be disclosed worldwide as a new preventive strategy for allergy in infants.

Trial registration

UMIN-CTR, ID: UMIN000034730 Retrospectively registered on 1 December 2018.

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Title: The effect of an educational program for pregnant women to prevent allergic diseases in infants: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rie Nakamura
Nao Ishiguro
Eiji Naru
Yukiko Ishitsuka
Masato Nakade
Yoko Nezu
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Atopic Dermatitis
Food Allergy
Published in: Trials / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-019-3797-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The effect of an educational program for pregnant women to prevent allergic diseases in infants: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background

Methods/design

Discussion

Trial registration

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods/design

Discussion

Trial registration

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