How swallowing problems can affect infant lungs in a baby model
Official title: The impact of dysphagia driven aspiration on lung pathophysiology in an animal model of term and preterm infants
Funded at Northeast Ohio Medical University · NIH-11364835 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how aspirated liquids during feeding may affect lung health in babies, using a controlled animal model to understand potential links to lung damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeast Ohio Medical University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rootstown, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $626,200 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD117115-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364835 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Term and preterm infants who have feeding/swallowing difficulties could benefit from future translational applications of this work.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy infants without feeding difficulties or lung concerns may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will use a validated infant dysphagia animal model to create a predictive link between feeding behavior, blood biomarkers, and the amount of liquid that gets into the lungs. They will test different levels and types of aspiration, including normal and thickened feeds, and measure resulting changes in lung physiology and tissue health. The study combines physiological measurements with lung histology to see how feeding-related aspiration impacts the developing lungs over time. This work aims to establish a model that could help predict lung injury risk from feeding problems in term and preterm infants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the model could improve understanding of how feeding strategies influence infant lung health and guide safer feeding options.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary animal studies suggest a relationship between aspiration and lung injury, but direct predictive models in infant contexts are still being developed.
Where this research is happening
-
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Rootstown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: German, Rebecca Z — Northeast Ohio Medical University
- Study coordinator: German, Rebecca Z
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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.