Child health, nutrition and gut microbiota development during the first two years of life; study protocol of a prospective cohort study from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Recent evidence suggests that gut microbiota development during infancy impact several metabolic, immune and endocrine pathways in humans. An imbalance in the gut microbiota diversity or function, also known dysbiosis, not only affect early child growth and development, but also linked with the development of chronic, non-communicable diseases in later life. The CHAMP (Child Health And Microbiome develpment study - Pakistan) study aims to longitudinally assess gut microbiota development and associated factors (maternal, child and demographic) during early childhood, in populations residing in malnutrition endemic communities in Pakistan. A prospective cohort of mother-infant pairs (n=70) will be recruited from District Swat, Pakistan and followed for two years. Complete information about demographic characteristics, anti-natal and post-natal care, dietary intake and feeding practices and child health will be collected at baseline and 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, mid upper arm circumference and head circumference), dry blood spot and fecal samples will also be collected. Ethical approval of the study has been obtained from Khyber Medical University Pakistan. The study is also registered on clincaltrial.gov (Ref no: NCT05793294). The study finding will help researchers understand gut microbiota development, associated factors and its impact on longitudinal growth in infants during the first two years of life.