PR000319 (Project)

Description:Exposure to arsenic (As) during the vulnerable window of fetal development and early childhood has shown significant clinical effects. In highly exposed populations, altered immunity is one of the most affected pathways and can lead to an elevated risk of infection and a pre-disposition to allergy/atopy. Since well water in the New Hampshire region has been determined to be a potential source of As exposure, this study includes mother-infant dyads living in the area, who obtain household water from private wells. This study seeks to determine if in utero and early life As exposure is related to increase occurrence of childhood: infections, allergy and atopy, and diminished vaccine response. It has been observed that the microbiome is an important mediator of immune impairment due to As exposure. Therefore, we will further investigate the relation between in utero and early life As exposure on the development of the infant intestinal microbiome in the first year of life. For this study fecal samples, from infants at risk of As exposure, were collected at 6 weeks and 12 months of age. Metabolomics data will allow for a more complete picture of the relationships between the microbiome, As exposure and immune function.