How early antibiotics may shape a child’s airways and asthma risk
Official title: Effect of infant antibiotics on the development of the early-life airway and gut microbiome and risk of childhood asthma
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11411373 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Early antibiotic use in the first year of life may influence a child’s airway health and risk of developing asthma later on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $859,471 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL171731-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411373 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Infants and young children, particularly those who have received antibiotics in their first year of life.
✕Less likely to help
Children without early antibiotic exposure or those not at risk for asthma may have little direct benefit from the findings.
What this research studies
This project looks at how antibiotics given in infancy could alter the gut and airway microbiomes in ways that affect asthma risk. Researchers will identify when infants are most affected by antibiotics and which microbial changes are linked to later asthma. The study aims to find bacterial species or microbial products that could promote resilience against asthma after antibiotic exposure. By using advanced microbiome techniques, the work seeks to uncover targets for interventions to prevent asthma from developing in early childhood.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide timing and approaches to antibiotic use and point to microbiome-based strategies to reduce childhood asthma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked early antibiotic exposure to asthma risk, but this project advances understanding by identifying specific ages and microbial pathways.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosas-Salazar, Christian — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Rosas-Salazar, Christian
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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.