Breastfeeding, Microbiome, and Early-Life Respiratory Health
Official title: BREATH - Breastfeeding, Early-life Microbiome and Respiratory Health Study
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11392247 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to see how a baby’s gut and nose bacteria, influenced by breastfeeding, relate to the risk of chest infections and asthma as they grow.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 13, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $504,566 |
| NIH project number | 5DP2AI185753-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392247 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are infants in the included birth cohorts and their families, particularly those with available longitudinal microbiome and clinical data.
✕Less likely to help
Unlikely to benefit individuals not represented in the birth cohorts or without access to the study data.
What this research studies
This project will use large, long-term data from two mother-child cohorts to examine how early-life microbiomes and breastfeeding patterns affect respiratory health. Researchers will apply advanced computational methods and animal models to identify mechanisms linking microbiota, breast milk components, and later asthma and infections. The goal is to find robust microbiome-based clues that could lead to primary prevention of childhood respiratory diseases. Results could help tailor guidance for new parents about breastfeeding and early-life care to improve breathing health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform strategies to prevent childhood asthma and respiratory infections by guiding breastfeeding practices and microbiome-targeted interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research links early microbiome and breastfeeding to respiratory outcomes, but findings are inconsistent and deeper mechanisms are still being clarified.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shenhav, Liat — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Shenhav, Liat
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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.