Skin scan to track infants' and toddlers' fruit and vegetable intake
Validation of biomarkers of infant and toddler carotenoid intake
We use a quick, harmless skin scan to measure how much carotenoid from fruits and vegetables is in infants and toddlers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11332776 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your child joins, researchers will use a non-invasive reflection spectroscopy device that scans the skin to estimate carotenoid levels. They will collect a small blood sample to measure plasma carotenoids, the current gold-standard, and compare those results to the skin scan. The team will also perform simple vision checks to see whether carotenoid status relates to visual function in young children. The goal is to find an easy way for parents and clinics to monitor fruit and vegetable intake in infancy and toddlerhood.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Healthy infants and toddlers (typically under age 3) whose caregivers can bring them to clinic visits and agree to a brief skin scan and a small blood sample are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children with skin conditions that affect pigment measurement or whose caregivers do not want blood draws or clinic visits may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a painless, fast way to track young children's fruit and vegetable intake without frequent blood draws.
How similar studies have performed: Skin carotenoid scanners have correlated well with blood carotenoids in adults, but validation in infants and toddlers is limited and still being established.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moran, Nancy E — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Moran, Nancy E
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.