Understanding how malaria causes anemia in children
Official title: Mechanisms of anemia in malaria
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11115876 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how malaria can cause anemia in children by checking blood samples from kids in Uganda, focusing on a specific enzyme that might be linked to losing healthy red blood cells, with the hope of finding better treatments to help these young patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | June 13, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $211,875 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI182931-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11115876 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are experiencing severe malaria and related anemia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have malaria or are outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which malaria leads to anemia in children, a serious condition that can result in severe health complications. By analyzing plasma samples from Ugandan children suffering from severe malaria, the study focuses on the role of an enzyme called Xanthine Oxidase (XO) and its potential contribution to the loss of healthy red blood cells. The researchers aim to establish a causal relationship between elevated XO levels and the development of malarial anemia, which could pave the way for targeted treatments. This work is crucial for improving health outcomes in pediatric patients affected by malaria.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that specifically target malarial anemia in children, potentially reducing hospital admissions and improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of biomarkers in malaria-related anemia, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rodriguez, Ana — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Rodriguez, Ana
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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.