Bushfire Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy

& Epigenetic Changes in Offspring

 

We would like to investigate whether exposure to bushfire smoke during pregnancy or in early life interacts with the child's genes by a process called epigenetics, changing the likelihood for the development of bronchiolitis in infancy and asthma in childhood.

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What is Epigenetics?

Epigenetics is the study of how our environment influences the way our genes work. Epigenetic changes do not change your DNA sequence, but rather, alter the way your body reads a DNA sequence determining how much or how little of the genes are expressed.

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Who is the study for?

Children whose mothers participated in the Breathing for Life Trial (BLT).

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What appointments will I need to attend?

You will not need to attend any appointments.

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What's involved in the study?

With your written consent we will request access to your baby’s Newborn Bloodspot Screening Card, also known as the Guthrie Card, which was collected when your baby was between 2 and 3 days old.

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