Preventing Growth Problems in Poor Children by Treating Small Intestine Bacteria
Official title: A Phase II Trial to Prevent Linear Growth Stunting and Malnutrition in Impoverished Children from a Low-Income Country by Treating Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11478598 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A phase II effort in urban Bangladesh tests a treatment plan to stop growth failure and malnutrition in young children by addressing small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $210,341 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HD113733-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11478598 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children under 5 from high-SIBO prevalence communities, especially those with malnutrition or growth faltering.
✕Less likely to help
Children without SIBO or malnutrition, or those not meeting inclusion criteria, may not benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
This project aims to find the best pediatric treatment for SIBO-related malnutrition in children, including those under 2 years, within a high-need setting. It will compare regimens that are practical in low-resource environments and seek to understand how the gut microbiome changes with treatment and how those changes relate to growth and metabolism. The study builds on observed high rates of SIBO among children with functional GI disorders and other conditions, and it focuses on improving growth and overall health. Outcomes will inform future care strategies for at-risk children in similar settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to clearer, more effective treatments for malnutrition linked to SIBO in young children, improving growth and health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows SIBO is common in several pediatric GI conditions, but pediatric treatment comparisons in such settings are limited, making this study novel in its approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Donowitz, Jeffrey Ryan — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Donowitz, Jeffrey Ryan
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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.