Gut microbes and growth in children born to mothers living with HIV
Microbiome-driven immune changes and growth stunting in HIV-exposed uninfected children
This work looks at whether differences in gut microbes and immune responses help explain why children born to people with HIV (but who are themselves uninfected) have more growth stunting and infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258865 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We use data and samples from a long-term birth cohort in Uganda to follow infants born to people with HIV who are HIV-exposed but uninfected. The team will measure gut microbiome profiles, immune markers, growth, and diarrheal illness over time and apply multi-omics analyses to link microbial changes with immune development. The project combines stored biobanked samples with newly collected specimens and clinical/environmental/dietary information. Comparisons will aim to identify pathways by which maternal immunity and the gut microbiome influence child growth and infection risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are infants born to pregnant people living with HIV who are themselves HIV-exposed but uninfected, especially those enrolled in or eligible for the Ugandan longitudinal birth cohort.
Not a fit: Children who are HIV-infected, not exposed to HIV, or who live outside the cohort's study region are unlikely to be eligible or to directly benefit from this project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to microbiome- or immune-targeted strategies to prevent or reduce growth stunting and infections in HIV-exposed uninfected children.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have reported links between altered gut microbiomes and worse outcomes in HEU children, but comprehensive multi-omics work connecting microbiome changes to immune development and stunting remains relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bebell, Lisa M — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Bebell, Lisa M
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 below.