Baylor Infant and Toddler Biomarker of Nutrition Study

Description

Young children rely on their foods and drinks for the nutrients they need to grow, like energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. In addition to nutrients, there are substances in fruits, vegetables, milk and formula, called phytochemicals, that can support health. While researchers know more about the role of phytochemicals in adult health, researchers know surprisingly little about how phytochemicals can support health in young children. One group of phytochemicals are called the carotenoids. Carotenoids are responsible for the red, orange, and yellow colors in some fruits and vegetables. In adults, carotenoids can support visual function. Researchers also know that measuring levels of carotenoids in the blood or optically in the skin, can serve as an indirect measurement of what child and adults eat. The purpose of this study is to determine how a child's usual intake of carotenoids is related to their visual development and their blood and skin levels of carotenoids. The study involves 6 visits. For each visit, we will ask about the child's recent diet, will measure their body size, collect a blood sample, collect optical measurements of their skin, and will test how sharp their vision is.

Conditions

Healthy Nutrition, Healthy Diet

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Young children rely on their foods and drinks for the nutrients they need to grow, like energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. In addition to nutrients, there are substances in fruits, vegetables, milk and formula, called phytochemicals, that can support health. While researchers know more about the role of phytochemicals in adult health, researchers know surprisingly little about how phytochemicals can support health in young children. One group of phytochemicals are called the carotenoids. Carotenoids are responsible for the red, orange, and yellow colors in some fruits and vegetables. In adults, carotenoids can support visual function. Researchers also know that measuring levels of carotenoids in the blood or optically in the skin, can serve as an indirect measurement of what child and adults eat. The purpose of this study is to determine how a child's usual intake of carotenoids is related to their visual development and their blood and skin levels of carotenoids. The study involves 6 visits. For each visit, we will ask about the child's recent diet, will measure their body size, collect a blood sample, collect optical measurements of their skin, and will test how sharp their vision is.

Observational Validation of Skin Carotenoid Biomarker of Infant and Toddler Carotenoid Intake

Baylor Infant and Toddler Biomarker of Nutrition Study

Condition
Healthy Nutrition
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Houston

USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States, 77030

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * healthy
  • * born at term (more than or equal to 37 weeks gestation)
  • * between the 1st to 99th weight for age percentile at 3 months of age
  • * participating guardian speaks, reads, and understands English
  • * guardian categorizes child as non-Hispanic white, Hispanic white, Asian, or non-Hispanic Black
  • * physician-diagnosed metabolic, absorptive, or endocrine condition
  • * diagnosed food intolerance or allergy
  • * has a sibling enrolled in the study

Ages Eligible for Study

3 Months to 24 Months

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Baylor College of Medicine,

Study Record Dates

2027-05-30