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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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