Helping preterm babies fight necrotizing enterocolitis
Reprogramming intestinal immunity in preterm neonates to prevent and cure necrotizing enterocolitis
This project aims to understand and adjust the gut immune system in premature babies to prevent and treat a serious bowel condition called necrotizing enterocolitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166481 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe and often fatal intestinal disease affecting premature infants, with current treatments often being non-specific and ineffective in severe cases. This project seeks to overcome these challenges by focusing on the immune system in the gut of preterm babies. Researchers are using a large collection of samples from premature infants, both those who developed NEC and healthy controls, to gain a deeper understanding of the disease mechanisms. By identifying how inflammation harms the intestine, this work hopes to find new ways to prevent and treat NEC.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research focuses on understanding necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants, particularly those who have developed or are at risk for the condition.
Not a fit: Patients who are not preterm infants or those without necrotizing enterocolitis would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments or prevention strategies for necrotizing enterocolitis, potentially saving lives and improving long-term health for premature infants.
How similar studies have performed: While decades of research have provided insight, current treatment options for severe NEC are often ineffective, indicating a need for novel approaches like those explored here.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Good, Misty L — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Good, Misty L
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.