Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Boston Children's Hospital received a $133,500 Project Grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847), effective June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2028. This research initiative aims to develop and validate novel salivary biomarkers for detecting aspiration in infants who experience Brief Resolved Unexplained Events (BRUE). The project represents the first systematic investigation of salivary biomarkers in a pediatric population, focusing specifically on substance P and other neuropeptides as non-invasive diagnostic indicators of oropharyngeal dysphagia and aspiration risk.

The research deliverables include scientific studies establishing the relationship between saliva biomarker levels and aspiration risk in infants with BRUE, with the ultimate objective of creating a diagnostic tool that eliminates the need for videofluoroscopic swallow studies—thereby reducing radiation exposure and improving accessibility in underresourced areas. This work addresses a critical clinical gap by providing clinicians with a non-invasive screening and monitoring mechanism for swallow dysfunction, which has significant potential to improve clinical outcomes, enhance quality of life, and reduce healthcare resource utilization and hospitalization rates in this vulnerable pediatric population.