Aflatoxin exposure and child growth in Guatemala
Official title: Aflatoxin Exposure, Growth Faltering, and the Gut Microbiome among Children in Rural Guatemala
Funded at Arizona State University-Tempe Campus · NIH-11513260 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in rural Guatemala will track how exposure to aflatoxin relates to growth and gut health in young children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| Award (this year) | $549,495 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES033999-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11513260 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children in rural Guatemala who are between 6-9 and 24-27 months old and whose families agree to participate and follow study visits.
✕Less likely to help
Children outside the age window or who cannot commit to follow-up may not benefit from the study.
What this research studies
This project follows a group of 185 children aged 6-9 to 24-27 months to see how aflatoxin exposure changes with seasons and diet, and how it might affect height and growth trajectories. Researchers will measure aflatoxin levels in the blood, track growth, and collect diet information over time. They will also perform lab studies using bioreactors to explore how aflatoxin could interact with the gut microbiome and cause inflammation. The goal is to understand mechanisms and temporal patterns so that future interventions can protect child growth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide prevention efforts to reduce aflatoxin exposure and support healthier growth in infants and toddlers.
How similar studies have gone: Prior observational work suggests links between aflatoxin and growth, but this study adds temporal data and mechanistic insight.
Where this research is happening
-
Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
Scottsdale, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Krajmalnik-Brown, Rosa — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Krajmalnik-Brown, Rosa
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.