Cystic Fibrosis Study

Children with cystic fibrosis between the ages of 8 and 14 years are eligible to enroll in this study. Our goal is to see if children with cystic fibrosis are getting enough zinc, or are at risk for zinc deficiency. Zinc is important for normal growth, development and immune function. In rare cases, children with cystic fibrosis have developed symptoms of severe zinc deficiency. Many vitamin and mineral supplements given to children with cystic fibrosis include additional zinc, but we do not know if this is enough. This study will require 2 visits to the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) at Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH). At the 2nd visit you will be required to stay at TCH for 5 nights, and 6 days. Subjects will also be given a zinc or placebo solution to take daily for 2 months. Blood draws at both visits.

For more information on this study call Keli Hawthorne at 713-798-7080 or kelih@bcm.edu.

Essential Kids Study

Healthy kids, ages 4-11 years old, are needed for an easy study looking at a certain type of good fat in the diet of kids (an omega-3 fatty acid called DHA). Because this type of fat is usually low in children, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine want to find out if DHA levels can be increased when kids drink 6 oz of orange juice (daily for 6 weeks) that has DHA added to it. This study will include 3 outpatient visits over 6 weeks to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, TX. There will be 2 blood draws (once at the beginning of the study and again at the end of the study) to measure any improvement in DHA levels. Free orange juice and compensation will be provided for the 6-week study.

For more information or to enroll in the Essential Kids Study, please contact Marilyn at 713-798-6715 or rilynn@bcm.edu.

New! Newborn Nutrition Study

Babies taking formula and less than 10 weeks old are needed for a study in newborn nutrition. Formula and stipend provided.

For more information or to enroll in the Newborn Nutrition Study, please contact Marilyn at 713-798-7002 or rilynn@bcm.edu.