April 3, 2009

University of Virginia researchers recently received a $30 million grant to study malnutrition and intestinal infections in children living in developing countries.

Researchers say malnutrition is more than just a lack of food. It could be linked to genetics.

Through this grant they're hoping to find a treatment for this deadly illness.

“It may well be that nutrition is every bit as dependent on a child's ability to absorb what they get as upon their ability to get food to eat in the first place," said Dr. Dick Guerrant, UVa Professor. "And if you're barely getting enough in the first place and not absorbing...that is devastating."

Researchers will study children in Brazil, Bangladesh, Tanzania and South Africa.

They hope to start enrollment in October.