Stool test to detect NEC early in premature babies
Official title: Development of a Stool-Based Screening Method for the Early Detection of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Premature Neonates
Funded at Signature Diagnostics INC · NIH-11409713 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new stool-based test looks for DNA methylation signs of tissue injury to detect necrotizing enterocolitis early in preterm infants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Signature Diagnostics INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2026 |
| Project end | September 19, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $306,510 |
| NIH project number | 1R41HD122600-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11409713 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Premature neonates at risk for NEC who can provide stool samples for analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Very late NEC cases or infants not eligible for stool testing may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a stool-based diagnostic that can signal NEC before symptoms become severe, using DNA methylation patterns found in stool. Researchers will build a reference atlas of DNA methylation across neonatal cell types and then develop a targeted, high-sensitivity assay to measure those signals in stool samples. The goal is a noninvasive test that helps clinicians diagnose NEC earlier and reduce the need for surgery and high mortality in preterm babies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could enable earlier, noninvasive NEC detection and potentially improve survival and outcomes for premature infants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows NEC-associated DNA methylation changes in stool; translating these findings into a practical assay is the next step.
Where this research is happening
-
Signature Diagnostics INC
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gandhi, Francis Amrit Raj — Signature Diagnostics INC
- Study coordinator: Gandhi, Francis Amrit Raj
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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.