How infant gut health and breastmilk shape development in babies exposed to HIV
Official title: Influence of infant gut microbiome and breastmilk HMOs on neurodevelopment in children exposed to HIV
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11408470 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how the tiny gut microbiome and components in breastmilk influence brain development in babies exposed to HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $163,340 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HD107669-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408470 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Infants in sub-Saharan Africa who are HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) and HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU) controls.
✕Less likely to help
Children not in the HEU or HUU groups or those with unrelated health issues may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
In sub-Saharan Africa, researchers will follow a group of babies exposed to HIV and a comparison group not exposed, to see how early gut bacteria relate to later neurodevelopment. They will look at breastmilk composition and specific sugars in milk to understand potential drivers of brain growth. The study uses a longitudinal design with infancy measurements to connect early gut health to motor, language, and cognitive outcomes. Findings could point to dietary or maternal factors that support better development in HEU children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to strategies that support healthier brain development in HEU children through maternal or infant gut-targeted interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies suggest neurodevelopment differences in HEU children; this study builds on that by examining gut microbiome and breastmilk factors.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benki-Nugent, Sarah F. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Benki-Nugent, Sarah F.
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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.