Understanding how vitamin D affects kidney development in preterm infants
Official title: Investigating the effect of dysregulated vitamin D metabolism on kidney development following preterm birth
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11056088 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how not having enough vitamin D might affect the kidneys of premature babies, especially how it could lead to the loss of important kidney cells, with the hope of finding ways to help prevent kidney problems later on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $687,468 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136989-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056088 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are preterm infants who may be at risk for vitamin D deficiency and subsequent kidney issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not preterm or those who do not have any vitamin D metabolism issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of vitamin D deficiency on kidney development in infants born preterm. It focuses on how dysregulated vitamin D metabolism may lead to the loss of important kidney cells called podocytes, which are crucial for kidney function. By studying a preterm model, the researchers aim to uncover the relationship between vitamin D levels and kidney health, potentially leading to new insights into preventing chronic kidney disease in these vulnerable patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing kidney disease in preterm infants through better management of vitamin D levels.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results regarding the role of vitamin D in kidney health, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Charlton, Jennifer R — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Charlton, Jennifer R
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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.