Drug, gut microbiome, and immune factors shaping birth and brain development in HIV-exposed but uninfected children
Official title: Drug, microbiome, and immune determinants of birth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with exposure to HIV infection
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11408459 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will follow HIV-exposed but uninfected children to understand how maternal treatment, gut microbes, breastmilk sugars, and immune factors influence growth and brain development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,506,383 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HD107669-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408459 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant people living with HIV and their uninfected newborns, plus a comparison group of HIV-unexposed infants.
✕Less likely to help
Children without exposure to HIV or without the specific maternal treatment or immune factors studied are less likely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
Researchers will track three linked projects using shared measurements to study how maternal dolutegravir use and viral load, the infant microbiome and breastmilk HMOs, and maternal/infant immune activation and CMV affect growth and neurodevelopment in HEU children and HIV-unexposed peers. Standardized neurodevelopment assessments and harmonized analyses will be used across three birth cohorts. The study aims to uncover mechanisms behind early developmental differences and inform safer maternal treatment and infant care. Results could guide clinical decisions and interventions to optimize outcomes for HEU children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could improve guidelines for HIV management during pregnancy and lead to strategies that support growth and brain development in HEU children.
How similar studies have gone: Prior birth cohort studies have shown links between gut microbiome and neurodevelopment, but this program adds integrated multi-cohort analysis and maternal regimen effects.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: John-Stewart, Grace C. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: John-Stewart, Grace C.
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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.