Gut microbes, immunity, and growth in children born to people with HIV
Microbiome-driven immune changes and growth stunting in HIV-exposed uninfected children
Researchers are linking gut bacteria and immune changes to understand why children born to people with HIV but who are not infected often grow more slowly and get more 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-11472861 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your child takes part, researchers will use stool, blood, and health information collected over time from a birth cohort in Uganda to compare children exposed to HIV but uninfected with others. They will analyze gut microbes, immune markers, diet, and environmental factors using multiple lab methods (multi-omics) to find patterns tied to growth stunting and diarrheal illness. The team will also study how transferred maternal antibodies and other maternal factors interact with the child's microbiome and immune development. Findings are intended to point to ways to prevent or reduce poor growth and infection in these children.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Infants and young children born to people living with HIV who are HIV-exposed but uninfected, particularly those enrolled or eligible for the Ugandan longitudinal birth cohort.
Not a fit: Children who are HIV-infected, not born to a person with HIV, or not enrolled in the cohort are unlikely to be eligible or directly benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify microbial or immune targets that lead to new ways to prevent or treat growth stunting and infections in HIV-exposed but uninfected children.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked the gut microbiome to child growth and immune function, but using deep multi-omics specifically in HIV-exposed uninfected children is relatively new.
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.