Understanding how a growth factor affects nutrition in preterm infants
Official title: DEVELOPMENTAL REGULATION OF FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR-19 IN NEONATES
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11001231 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a substance called FGF19 affects the growth and ability to absorb nutrients in preterm babies, with the goal of finding better ways to help them grow and stay healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $158,993 |
| NIH project number | 5K08DK135845-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001231 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are preterm infants who are experiencing growth challenges due to immature gastrointestinal function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are full-term infants or those without growth issues related to nutritional absorption may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of Fibroblast Growth Factor-19 (FGF19) in the growth and nutritional absorption of preterm infants. It aims to understand how preterm birth impacts the secretion of FGF19 and its relationship with bile acids, which are crucial for fat digestion. By studying the differences in FGF19 levels between preterm and term infants, the research seeks to uncover mechanisms that contribute to growth dysfunction in neonates. The findings could lead to improved nutritional strategies for preterm infants to enhance their growth and health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better nutritional interventions for preterm infants, potentially improving their growth and reducing long-term health issues.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding the role of growth factors in neonatal health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vonderohe, Caitlin — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Vonderohe, Caitlin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multimodal AI to improve genetic diagnosis of congenital heart disease
A new AI tool uses multiple types of patient data to help doctors find genetic causes of congenital heart disease more accurately.
-
Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Children
This project watches how often common vaccines prevent illnesses in kids who are in the hospital or at the emergency department, and compares them with healthy children getting well-child care.
-
Triple gene therapy approach to heal the heart after a heart attack
A new therapy combines three genetic approaches delivered by a virus to help the heart heal after a heart attack.
-
Thalamic sleep circuit changes in Alzheimer's disease
Aims to understand how sleep-related brain activity in a key sleep regulator called the TRN affects Alzheimer’s progression and whether boosting TRN function could slow symptoms.
-
Cardiomyocyte-fibroblast signaling in atrial fibrillation
A researcher at Baylor College of Medicine is studying how signals between heart muscle cells and supportive heart cells influence atrial fibrillation, with the goal of finding new ways to prevent or treat this common heart rhythm problem.
-
UMPIRE: Keeping Kidneys Healthy for Babies with Spina Bifida
A care protocol for newborns with spina bifida aims to protect kidney function by thoughtful bladder management and monitoring from birth.
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.