ZINC AND CHILD-MATERNAL BRAIN FUNCTION IN SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Zinc deficiency is a global public health problem with a wide range of adverse effects on physical and cognitive development, growth, malformations, neurobehavioral development, gestational age at birth, neonatal immune status, infant morbidity, and more. Zinc deficiency is particularly acute in rural Ethiopia and thus it is a compelling site for studies of dietary zinc supplementation. With long-term supplementation to both pregnant mothers and infants, it is hypothesized that zinc status will improve, as will public health issues such as infant morbidity, and stunting. This pilot study will provide essential baseline data for rural communities in Awassa, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region of Ethiopia. These studies do not contain any intervention or treatment. The baseline data will be cross-sectional data from mother-infant and mother-toddler pairs and will include information on dietary intake, nutritional status, dietary zinc requirements, and on measures of brain function. This cornerstone information will lead to the development of a major R01 grant proposal for a long-term study on the effects of provision of an optimal quantity of bioavailable zinc during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy through the first two years of life. Both the pilot and long-range studies involve Debub University in Ethiopia and require development of the necessary resources, including human, through collaboration with Oklahoma State University and UCHSC.