How a mother's immune response affects food allergies in children

Maternal influence on offspring food allergy

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10877152

This study looks at how a mother's immune system and her milk might help protect her children from developing food allergies, like those to peanuts and eggs, and aims to find ways to prevent these allergies in kids.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10877152 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how a mother's immune system influences the development of food allergies in her children. It focuses on the role of maternal milk and specific immune factors that may help establish tolerance to allergens like peanuts and eggs in offspring. By studying both animal models and human samples, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms that promote food tolerance during early life, particularly through the transfer of maternal antibodies and other immune components. The findings could lead to new strategies for preventing food allergies in children.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include mothers who are pregnant or breastfeeding, particularly those with a family history of allergies.

Not a fit: Patients who are already diagnosed with severe food allergies may not benefit directly from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new preventive measures for food allergies in children, potentially reducing the incidence of these conditions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the maternal influence on allergy development, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.