Preventing necrotizing enterocolitis in newborns
Prevention of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
This project is testing whether a component of human milk called hyaluronan (HA35) given by mouth can help immature intestines mature and prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11263627 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If my baby were at risk for NEC, this project looks at a sugar molecule in early breast milk (hyaluronan, or HA) and an oral mimic called HA35 to help the immature intestine mature. In animal models HA35 increased protective gut cells (Paneth and goblet cells), strengthened tight junction proteins, reduced bacterial spread, and lowered intestinal injury and death. Researchers are using RNA sequencing, tissue staining (immunohistochemistry), and protein assays (western blots) to study how HA35 activates the mTORC1 pathway and drives those protective changes. The team plans to use these mechanistic findings to guide future steps toward testing this approach in human newborns.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be premature newborns, especially very low birth weight infants in the first weeks of life who are at high risk for NEC.
Not a fit: Full-term infants or babies without NEC risk factors are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower the chance and severity of NEC in premature infants, improving survival and gut health.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal studies by the team showed that HA35 reduced NEC-like injury and improved markers of gut maturation, but human testing has not yet been done.
Where this research is happening
Oklahoma City, United States
- University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr — Oklahoma City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chaaban, Hala — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Chaaban, Hala
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 below.