Texas A&M AgriLife Researcher Secures Grant for Studying Feeding Intolerance in Preterm Infant

Robert Chapkin, PhD

Dr. Robert Chapkin is spearheading research focused on feeding intolerance in preterm infants. Within the Chapkin lab, a groundbreaking noninvasive method has been developed, allowing precise diagnosis of feeding intolerance severity. This innovative approach enables researchers to assess a baby's intestinal physiology, providing an accurate determination of nutrient absorption.

Dr. Chapkin's method involves examining intestinal cells exfoliated in the baby’s feces, offering a noninvasive means to assess the neonatal gut. This gut assessment is crucial as it serves as the primary site for nutrient absorption and the host immune system. The outcomes of this research may contribute to more effective and less harmful treatments by eliminating potentially limited or harmful interventions.