Investigating early life environmental factors that may cause eosinophilic esophagitis
Official title: Epidemiologic identification and mechanistic investigation of early life environmental risk factors for eosinophilic esophagitis
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11006282 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how things in a child's early life, like antibiotic use, might affect their chances of developing eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a condition that causes inflammation in the esophagus, by examining samples from baby teeth to find out more about these early exposures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $625,444 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES031940-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11006282 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and adults who have been diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis or are at risk for developing the condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have eosinophilic esophagitis or are not at risk for the condition may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how early life environmental factors contribute to the development of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a condition characterized by inflammation in the esophagus. By analyzing samples from baby teeth, the study aims to identify specific exposures, such as antibiotic use, that may increase the risk of EoE. The research employs innovative methodologies to gather precise data on these early life exposures, which have not been thoroughly studied before. This could lead to a better understanding of the condition and inform prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and management strategies for eosinophilic esophagitis in children and adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in identifying environmental factors related to immune-mediated diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dellon, Evan Samuel — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Dellon, Evan Samuel
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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.