From Cradle to College: Pediatrics Explored

• The maternal microbiota is one of the relevant factors in the development of the infant’s immune system; the theories regarding whether or not the uterine environment and fetus are sterile or have microbial communities; and the effect, if any, vaginal birth vs caesearian birth has on the baby’s microbiome.
• Allergies in children are increasing, list the most common food allergens, and list the possible reasons for increased risk of allergy according to the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) Study. New studies and the reasoning behind introducing potential allergic foods before 6 months of age instead of waiting until after age 1, and age 3 in the case of peanuts, as previously believed. 
• “Picky or fussy eating”, the prevalence, and the parenting style that can contribute to its development, and why pressure to eat or using food as a reward sets up a power struggle between parent and child and even encourage picky eating.
• How poor sleep impacts a child’s performance, energy, and mood, and the consequences for both the child and the parents. Hours of sleep school age children need and the negative effects of losing sleep for even one night. The two types of sleep problems and explain why falling asleep fairly quickly is so important and contributing factors to poor sleep habits. 
• The sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythms and explain the importance of the body’s levels of serotonin and melatonin in keeping that rhythm on track. List the nutrients needed to make serotonin and melatonin, explain what decreases melatonin production in the body and list food sources of melatonin.