The MELODY Trial: Modulating Early Life Microbiome Through Dietary Intervention in Crohn's Disease

The goal of this study is to prospectively test the hypothesis that a non-invasive dietary intervention during the last trimester of pregnancy could beneficially shift the microbiome of CD and UC patients and their babies, hereby promoting a healthier immune system during a critical time of the immune system development. Particularly, the study team will test whether favorable diet-driven changes in the microbiome can lead to a reduced risk of postpartum relapse and lower gut inflammation in the offspring. The study design is a three-arm, prospective, pre-post intervention trial. Crohn's Disease (CD) patients at 27-29 weeks of pregnancy will self-select to Arm 1 or Arm 2. Controls will be in Arm 3. Arm 1 (diet-CD): 8-10 weeks of dietary intervention (n=66) Arm 2 (no-diet-CD): usual diet with no intervention (n=66) Arm 3 (no-diet-control): unaffected controls at the same gestational stage will follow their usual diet and no intervention (n=66). This study has been updated to include mothers with UC in addition to mothers with CD.