Infant and Toddler Nutrition Technology Study (H-52929)

Studying the role of nutrition in infant and toddler health is challenging. Young children cannot tell us what they eat. Many children eat meals away from their primary caregivers while in group childcare or with a babysitter, so there isn't always one adult who knows everything their child eats. If we could get a rapid, and quantitative assessment of what young children eat, doctors and scientists can do a better job of developing nutrition guidance for them.

When we eat foods, we absorb the nutrients and other components into our bodies. There are colorful natural components, called "carotenoids", found in foods, breast milk, and infant formula. Adults and children absorb carotenoids from their foods and some carotenoids are found in the skin. In adults, we can use a device to optically measure skin carotenoids. This skin carotenoid measurement provides a read-out of what the person has been eating. 

In adults, carotenoids are also related to vision health, but we know surprisingly little about carotenoids and vision health in young children.

What is the purpose of the BITBON Study?

The Baylor Infant and Toddler Biomarker of Nutrition Study (BITBONS) wants to find out if we can reliably measure carotenoids in infants' and toddlers' skin when they are 4-24 months of age to serve as a biomarker of what they eat. We also want to find out if a young child's carotenoid intake is related to their visual development.

What is involved in the study?

• 6 visits, from 4-24 months of age, to the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine. 
• Food surveys
• Optical skin measurements 
• Body measurements 
• Vision tests 
• Blood sample (1 teaspoon)
• Milk sample (if guardian is breastfeeding their participating child) 
• Up to $300 in pre-paid gift cards and free parking.

Who is eligible to enroll?

• Term-born infants, 3-4 months of age 
• Meet health and body size criteria 
• Participating guardian speaks, reads, and understands English.

How to learn more and get involved:

Complete our contact form below. Someone on our team will contact you to provide more details and screen you and your child's eligibility to participate. Or you may e-mail (BITBONStudy@bcm.edu) or call us at (713) 798-0517.

See a listing of all Children's Nutrition Research Center-related clinical trials.