How maternal blood sugar levels affect breast milk and child growth
Official title: The GROWTH Study, Glycemia Range and Offspring Weight and adiposity in response To Human milk
Funded at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago · NIH-11011370 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the sugar levels in a pregnant mom's blood can affect the nutrients in her breast milk and how that might impact her baby's growth and health, especially for moms dealing with conditions like gestational diabetes or obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,872,667 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD109260-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11011370 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women, particularly those with gestational diabetes or obesity, and their infants up to two years old.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or whose children are older than two years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the levels of sugar in a mother's blood during pregnancy influence the composition of her breast milk and, consequently, the growth and development of her child. It focuses on understanding the relationship between maternal metabolic health, particularly conditions like gestational diabetes and obesity, and the nutrients present in breast milk. By analyzing the variations in breast milk composition, the study aims to identify potential interventions that could improve health outcomes for children exposed to adverse maternal conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved nutritional guidelines for breastfeeding mothers, ultimately enhancing the health and development of their children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that maternal health significantly impacts infant development, suggesting that this study's approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Josefson, Jami L — Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Josefson, Jami 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.