March 21, 2025

MIND collaborators convene for child development research in Nairobi, Kenya

MIND collaborators at the Palacina Suites Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo: Mugo Mureithi

In January, nearly 50 collaborators affiliated with the Drug, microbiome, and immune determinants of birth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with exposure to HIV infection (MIND) study attended the 2nd annual convening in Nairobi, Kenya. Launched in early 2023, MIND leverages three ongoing childhood development studies in Kenya and supports two core groups that provide access to technologies, services, training, and consultation to successfully execute the studies.

It is a remarkable partnership involving several investigators and administrators from UW/Global WACh, Kenyatta National Hospital, University of Nairobi, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Emory University, Fred Hutch, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and Makerere University who share knowledge and common resources to generate evidence on biological factors that may cause adverse birth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in young children exposed to HIV but are uninfected. The two-day convening provided a forum to share progress since the inaugural meeting in January 2024 and team retreat at UW in October 2024, and to discuss future directions of research collaborations.

Collaborators shared their research findings and expertise on factors influencing child brain development, a crucial period for establishing the foundation for cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions as adults.  Hearing, mental health, maternal immunity, and environmental exposures were among topics discussed. The convening ended with rich discussions on potential new interventions for mental health advocacy, parental interventions for child neurodevelopment, and family engagement for hearing.

Additional highlights included guest speaker presentations. Dr. Jaya Chandna, a child psychologist based at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, presented on optimal approaches to measure and implement interventions to improve childhood neurodevelopment. Dr. Catherine Wedderburn, a clinician and Chief Research Officer at the Neuroscience Institute at the University of Cape Town, presented on neurological complications when HIV exposure and infection invade the brain.

Attendees saw a preview of a new MIND study website that will officially launch in April. It will include descriptions of the studies, the Cores, and house resources, such as recorded talks and publications. We look forward to announcing the website launch and sharing the link soon.