Effects of early life soy exposure on bone growth and gut health

Study of the Effects of Soy Exposure in Early Life on Bone Development and Gut Microbiota

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University · NCT05763589

This study looks at how eating soy during early life affects bone growth and gut health in infants by examining samples from mothers and their children.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment240 (estimated)
Ages3 Years to 45 Years
SexAll
SponsorThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University (other)
Locations1 site (Hong Kong)
Trial IDNCT05763589 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study investigates how soy consumption during early life influences gut microbiota and bone development in infants. Researchers will analyze clinical samples from mother-child pairs in the SMART Gen Hong Kong cohort to explore the relationship between maternal soy intake and the child's bone growth and gut microbiome composition. The primary outcomes include measurements of bone mineral density and markers of bone formation, while secondary outcomes focus on gut microbiome profiles and metabolites. The study aims to provide insights into the potential benefits of soy in early life for optimizing bone health.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include healthy Chinese pregnant women aged 18-45 in their first trimester and their newborns.

Not a fit: Patients with significant medical conditions or chronic gastrointestinal diseases may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide evidence for using soy preparations in early life to enhance bone growth and gut health.

How similar studies have performed: While the relationship between gut microbiota and bone health is being explored, this specific approach focusing on early life soy exposure is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for healthy pregnant women:

1. Chinese mothers aged 18 - 45 years who were in the first trimester of pregnancy
2. Singleton pregnancy
3. Participate voluntarily and capable of giving informed consent

Inclusion Criteria for babies:

The baby of enrolled pregnant women and parents signed written informed consent prior to the initiation of this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Significant medical conditions especially those required long term medications, such as oral steroid, antihypertensive drugs, diabetic medications and lipid-lowering agents, during or before pregnancy
2. History of chronic inflammatory or neoplastic diseases involving the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, colorectal cancer)
3. Significant pregnancy complications, such as intrauterine foetal demise/stillbirth, extreme prematurity, or pre-labour rupture of membranes before 24 weeks
4. Mother with mental incapacity such that they are not able to give informed consent
5. Foetal chromosomal or clinically significant structural abnormalities
6. The current pregnancy is a conception through either sperm or ovum donation

Where this trial is running

Hong Kong

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Child Development, Soy isoflavones, Bone development, Soy oligonucleotide, Gut microbiome, Prebiotics, Postbiotics, Early life exposure

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.