NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

How maternal antibiotics affect the microbiome and metabolism of breastfeeding infants

Official title: Impact of Maternal Antibiotics on the Breastfeeding Infant Microbiome and Metabolome

Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10907657 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how antibiotics that breastfeeding moms take can affect their babies' gut health and metabolism, using gentle skin swabs to check how much of the antibiotics get into the babies through breast milk.

More Breastfeeding research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project startSeptember 10, 2021
Project endJuly 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$338,824
NIH project number5P50HD106463-04
Project IDNIH-10907657 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include breastfeeding mothers who are prescribed antibiotics and their infants.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not breastfeeding or those whose mothers have not taken antibiotics may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how antibiotics taken by breastfeeding mothers influence the microbiome and metabolism of their infants. By using non-invasive skin swabs, the study aims to monitor antibiotic exposure levels in infants through breast milk. It will also analyze the impact of this exposure on the infants' microbiome and metabolic processes. The research employs advanced techniques in metabolomics and microbiome analysis to gather comprehensive data on these effects.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and management of antibiotic use in breastfeeding mothers, ultimately promoting healthier outcomes for infants.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of maternal health on infant development, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California, San Diego
    La Jolla, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Tsunoda, Shirley M — University of California, San Diego
  • Study coordinator: Tsunoda, Shirley M

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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  • Promoting Breastfeeding to Prevent Postpartum Smoking Relapse

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  • Breastfeeding support to reduce obesity risk in children

    A family-based program helps new Hispanic mothers in the WIC program breastfeed more and give babies a healthier start to prevent obesity and diabetes later.

    NIH research University of North Carolina Greensboro · Greensboro, United States · NIH-11397000

  • Transdermal HIV prevention for breastfeeding infants using bnAbs on a patch

    A child-focused HIV prevention approach uses a patch to deliver protective antibodies through the skin to babies who are breastfed.

    NIH research Old Dominion University · Norfolk, United States · NIH-11395232

  • Breastfeeding, Microbiome, and Early-Life Respiratory Health

    A study to see how a baby’s gut and nose bacteria, influenced by breastfeeding, relate to the risk of chest infections and asthma as they grow.

    NIH research New York University School of Medicine · New York, United States · NIH-11392247

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.