Identification of Biomarkers for Environmental Enteropathy in Children Using an Evidence-Based Approach

Asad Ali of Aga Khan University in Pakistan and co-­investigators will test a selected group of candidate biomarkers to identify and monitor environmental enteropathy, which causes malnutrition and stunting. The biomarkers, which include markers of inflammation and enteric pathogens, will be tested in blood, urine and stools, and correlated with structural features of the small bowel using biopsies from malnourished children. They will also attempt to identify new candidate biomarkers in these biopsies using mRNA sequencing. Their results will provide important insight into disease pathophysiology and enable the development of evidence-­based interventions.