Balanced Energy Protein Supplement for mothers and infants in LMICs
Official title: Balanced Energy Protein Supplement in Early Lactation on Infant Growth in Southern Nepal
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11406054 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nutrition program tests if a ready-to-use protein supplement given to undernourished pregnant or breastfeeding women in South Asia can improve baby growth in the first 6 months.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $387,509 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD109385-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406054 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Undernourished pregnant or lactating women and their infants in LMIC settings where BEP++ is feasible.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnant or lactating women without undernutrition or settings where BEP++ is not available may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project at Johns Hopkins will test whether daily BEP++ given during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding helps infants grow better in their first 6 months. It will also look at maternal nutrition and possible ways this affects baby growth, using measurements from mothers and babies and a biospecimen sub-study. Researchers will analyze biomarkers, breast milk, and gut microbiome to understand the connections between nutrition and infant outcomes. The study builds on existing evidence and aims to clarify how to support healthier growth for vulnerable populations in LMICs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could improve infant growth and maternal nutrition, potentially reducing stunting and long-term health risks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous similar efforts suggest that targeted maternal nutrition can influence birth and infant growth, though this exact BEP++ approach in LMICs is being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Erchick, Daniel Joseph — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Erchick, Daniel Joseph
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Iodized salt and early brain development in babies of pregnant and breastfeeding women in rural Ethiopia
This grant tests whether giving iodized salt to pregnant and breastfeeding women helps their babies’ brain development.
-
IMPILO: New 6-month RR-TB regimen in pregnant and breastfeeding women
A study in pregnant and postpartum women with rifampicin-resistant TB will track how well a new all-oral 6-month treatment works and how well people stick to it.
-
Moringa in Breastfeeding: A mom-and-baby study
This trial tests whether adding moringa leaf powder to mothers’ diets can increase breast milk volume and improve infant growth among undernourished families in Kenya.
-
UPLIFT: Understanding how HIV status shapes parental feeding choices
A patient-centered study explores how people with HIV make feeding decisions for their babies and what supports help them choose and carry out feeding plans.
-
Effects of iodized salt during pregnancy and breastfeeding on infant brain development in rural Ethiopia
Pregnant and breastfeeding people in rural Ethiopia will receive iodized salt to see how it affects their baby’s brain development.
-
Iodized salt for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to support babies' brain development in rural Ethiopia
This project gives iodized salt to pregnant and breastfeeding women in rural Ethiopia to see if it helps their babies' early brain, attention, and motor development.
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.