NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Effects of antibiotics on breast milk and infant health

Official title: Antibiotic Treatment in Breastfeeding Mothers: Effects on Milk, Microbiome, and Infant Outcomes

Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10907649 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how antibiotics taken by breastfeeding moms might change their milk and affect their baby's growth and health, and it's open to 480 mom-and-baby pairs who want to help us learn more about breastfeeding and infant well-being.

More Breastfeeding research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project startSeptember 10, 2021
Project endJuly 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$806,901
NIH project number5P50HD106463-04
Project IDNIH-10907649 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for participation include breastfeeding mothers who are prescribed antibiotics and their infants under one year of age.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not breastfeeding or those who are not receiving antibiotic treatment may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how antibiotic treatment in breastfeeding mothers affects the composition of their milk, including its nutritional quality and microbiome. By enrolling 480 maternal-infant pairs, the study will collect milk, skin, and stool samples to analyze the impact of specific antibiotics on both milk and infant outcomes. The research aims to understand how maternal antibiotic use influences infant growth, development, and immune response, providing valuable insights into breastfeeding practices and infant health.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved guidelines for antibiotic use in breastfeeding mothers, enhancing infant health outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the effects of maternal health interventions on breastfeeding can significantly impact infant health, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California, San Diego
    La Jolla, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Chambers, Christina — University of California, San Diego
  • Study coordinator: Chambers, Christina

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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  • Breastfeeding support to reduce obesity risk in children

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  • Transdermal HIV prevention for breastfeeding infants using bnAbs on a patch

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  • Breastfeeding, Microbiome, and Early-Life Respiratory Health

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About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.