Summary
This research project investigates the association between breast milk Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) exposure, the infant gut microbiome and fecal metabolome, and the risk of rapid infant growth and childhood obesity in a cohort of Hispanic children.
What they want
The project aims to test the hypothesis that higher concentrations of breast milk PFAS contribute to more rapid infant growth and childhood obesity risk, with these effects explained by alterations in the composition and function of the infant gut microbiome. This will be achieved by studying a cohort of 208 Hispanic mother-child pairs, conducting child growth assessments at 1, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months, and at 6 years of age. The study will measure breast milk PFAS concentrations and characterize the infant gut microbiome and fecal metabolome using archived breast milk and stool samples from 1- and 6-months, while also accounting for prenatal PFAS exposure using newborn dried blood spots. The specific aims are to determine the extent to which early life exposure to breast milk PFAS is associated with child weight and the risk of rapid growth/childhood obesity, and with changes in gut microbial profiles and fecal metabolites. The ultimate goal is to integrate these profiles to identify subgroups of children at increased risk for rapid growth and obesity.
Deliverables
- Determine the association between early life breast milk PFAS exposure and child weight from 1-month to 6 years.
- Determine the association between early life breast milk PFAS exposure and the risk of rapid growth and childhood obesity.
- Determine the association between early life breast milk PFAS exposure and changes in gut microbial profiles and fecal metabolites.
- Integrate breast milk PFAS exposure, gut microbiome, and fecal metabolomics profiles to identify subgroups of children at increased risk for rapid growth and obesity.
- Advance mechanistic understanding of the obesogenic effects of PFAS exposure.
- Identify potential preventive measures for obesity risk, including screening for breast milk PFAS and the use of probiotics.
Technical requirements
- Cohort study design involving 208 Hispanic mother-child pairs.
- Child growth assessments at 1, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36 months, and 6 years.
- Measurement of breast milk PFAS concentrations.
- Characterization of infant gut microbiome.
- Characterization of fecal metabolome.
- Use of archived breast milk and stool samples (1- and 6-months).
- Use of newborn dried blood spots to account for prenatal PFAS exposure.
