Protecting preterm babies from CMV in breast milk
CMV+ milk: morbidity risk & translational potential of neutralizing antibodies
This project aims to find ways to make breast milk safer for preterm infants by adding protective antibodies against the cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161628 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many mothers carry the cytomegalovirus (CMV) and can pass it to their preterm babies through breast milk, which can make these vulnerable infants very sick. Our goal is to explore if adding special antibodies to CMV-positive breast milk can prevent the virus from causing harm. We are also looking closely at the differences in breast milk from mothers with and without CMV to understand how it affects babies' health. This work could help ensure that all preterm infants can safely receive the benefits of human milk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research focuses on understanding and protecting preterm infants who receive breast milk from mothers who carry the cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Not a fit: Patients who are not preterm infants or who do not receive breast milk from a CMV-positive mother would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to protect preterm infants from serious infections caused by CMV in breast milk, making human milk delivery safer for them.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of neutralizing antibodies is established, this specific approach of adding them to human milk to prevent postnatal CMV infection in preterm infants is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martin, Camilia R — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Martin, Camilia R
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.