Study to examine the impact of nutrients before and during pregnancy on the health of mothers and their babies  

The NiPPeR study involves researchers in the United Kingdom (Southampton), Singapore and New Zealand (Auckland) from the EpiGen Global Research Consortium who are trialling the use of a combination of nutrients and probiotics before and during pregnancy to improve the health of mothers and their babies. 

Increasing evidence shows the mother’s nutritional state as she enters pregnancy is important for the baby’s development.  For example, if the mother has high blood sugar levels it can predispose the baby to having increased body fat in later life. The researchers will evaluate the benefits of the nutrients to the mother and baby.  They will study the effects on maintaining healthy blood sugar, vitamin and mineral levels in the mother, and the potential to promote a healthy pregnancy and healthy growth and development of the child.  In addition, the study will evaluate the impact on the activity of the baby’s genes (so-called “epigenetic” mechanisms). Read more

NiPPeR News

• First Singapore baby in nutritional cohort study could help in the war on diabetes and obesity
• First baby born in Southampton study aimed at helping future mothers give their children the best start in life
• First NiPPeR baby born could help scientists crack lifelong obesity programming
• Drink for mums to give babies better health. NZ Herald, Saturday May 7, 2016