Bifidobacterium infantis supplementation in early life to improve neurodevelopment in infants exposed to HIV
The following grant was awarded by, is supported by, is administered by or is in partnership with the Fogarty International Center at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Funding Fogarty Program
Emerging Global Leader
Project Information in NIH RePORTER
Bifidobacterium infantis supplementation in early life to improve neurodevelopment in infants exposed to HIV
Principal Institution
University of Cape Town
Principal Investigator(s) (PI)
Happel, Anna-Ursula
Project Contact Information
Email:
anna.happel@uct.ac.za
Year(s) Awarded
2024-2029
Country
South Africa
NIH Partners
NIMH
Project Description
Infants who are exposed to HIV but uninfected (iHEU) are at higher risk for neurodevelopmental delay compared to their HIV-unexposed counterparts, and have lower gut Bifidobacterium abundance and higher systemic inflammation during early life. This study will leverage an ongoing randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial to assess whether Bifidobacterium infantis supplementation during the first month of life improves neurodevelopmental outcomes via decreases in systemic inflammation and to identify predictors of neurodevelopment in this population.
Through the use of multiple data-driven approaches integrating biological measures with clinical neurodevelopmental outcomes, this study has the potential to inform novel intervention strategies or might ultimately lead to the development of diagnostics that help identify infants at risk of poor neurodevelopment.
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