Creating a nutritional indicator for brain health in very preterm infants
Official title: Development of a brain-specific nutritional status indicator for very preterm infants
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10906857 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to check how well very premature babies are getting the nutrition they need to grow healthy and support their brain development, using special tools in the NICU to help doctors provide the best care possible.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 26, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $675,330 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111016-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906857 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are very preterm infants born before 32 weeks of gestation who are receiving care in a NICU.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not very preterm or those who are not in the NICU may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new method to assess the nutritional status of very preterm infants, who are born before 32 weeks of gestation. By measuring fat-free mass accretion, the study aims to establish a reference for optimal nutrition that supports healthy brain development during a critical growth period. The approach involves using bioimpedance analysis to accurately monitor body composition in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which can help guide nutritional interventions. The ultimate goal is to reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental impairments in these vulnerable infants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved nutritional strategies that enhance brain development and reduce long-term disabilities in very preterm infants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that monitoring nutrient accretion can positively impact neurodevelopmental outcomes, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Belfort, Mandy Brown — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Belfort, Mandy Brown
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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.