The GC23 group is a group of clinical researchers, mostly medical specialists in various areas of Pediatrics, related to nutrition and metabolism. It is a consolidated group of young researchers, PhDs, medical doctors and professors from the University of Córdoba, with assistance activity at the Reina Sofía University Hospital in Cordoba, Spain.
The main research area of development is Nutrition and Metabolism during childhood, although is related with other pediatric specialties such as Oncology, Neuropediatrics, Endocrinology, Inborn Errors of Metabolism or Nephrology. In addition, it stands out for its research on childhood obesity.
Our objectives are based on the development of quality research oriented to the most prevalent pediatric health problems, in order to achieve results that have applicability and influence clinical practice.
Specifically, we intend to identify nutritional, cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors for the prevention of childhood-onset diseases, especially cardiovascular disease and the metabolic syndrome in relation to obesity and malnutrition or underlying diseases. The prevention of these diseases controlling risk factors in childhood can have a high impact on later stages of life in health.
In addition, we participate in alliances with other national and international researchers, who are leaders in nutritional research applied to the clinic, as well as with companies in the food sector or through clinical trials for new therapies.
Among our relevant results, we highlight the research of the metabolic syndrome in prepubertal children, and risk factors associated with genetic polymorphisms, as well as the use of probiotics and therapies in rare metabolic diseases.
Lines of Research
Three featured projects within this line of study include:
1- Mediterranean diet and lifestyle habits for prevention of pediatric obesity (MELIPOP. https://melipop.es/)
We aim to perform a randomized control multi-centre clinical trial, in order to assess the effect of an intensive intervention program in the prevention of obesity in children. We will recruit children, aged 3 to 6 years, at high risk of obesity, defined as at least the mother with obesity.
2- Longitudinal study to determine risk factors associated with childhood obesity (CORALS. https://corals.es/)
Our group coordinates this national study with other CIBEROBN groups to get a cohort of Spanish children aged 3 to 6 years with a follow up for at least 10 years.
3- Research for biomarkers of cardiovascular risk and antioxidant defense system in prepubertal children with a history of extrauterine growth retardation (BIORICA).
This is a cohort of children with a history of extrauterine growth retardation that was studied at prepubertal age with a higher metabolic risk, and subjects are being followed up after puberty.
European Project, H2020: Paediatric Hepatic International Tumour Trial (PHITT)
Con el propósito de optimizar la atención nutricional personalizada en el neonato y lactante desde una perspectiva innovadora y basada en la evidencia científica, esta línea pretende conocer los compuestos bioactivos de la leche humana mediante técnicas ómicas avanzadas considerando los periodos de lactancia y la madurez del niño según la edad gestacional y el peso al nacimiento. Además, en el banco de leche humana donada se busca preservar al máximo estos compuestos con diferentes técnicas y así garantizar una calidad biológica óptima para su consumo. Proyectos liderados de esta línea: DONACTIV, NEOMILK, PROTEOM-MILK.
En esta línea se incluye la investigación en varias áreas específicas de Pediatría destacando proyectos internacionales y nacionales así como ensayos clínicos en el estudio de tumores hepáticos y otros, enfermedades minoritarias especialmente ligadas a afectación neurológica y/o metabólica, o condición física así como el estudio de enfermedades renales u otras propias de la infancia y adolescencia.
Networks
EXERNET - Red de Ejercicio Físico y Salud. 104961. Red de Investigación en Ciencias del Deportes. 2025. Ministerio de Educación, Formación Profesional y Deportes. Consejo Superior de Deportes.
CIBERobn - Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red - Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, ISCIII. Grupo CB1500131.
CIBERer - Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red - Enfermedades Raras.
Spanish Network in Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Developmental Health Research (RICORS-SAMID), ISCIII. Grupo RD24/0013/0007.
RECLIP - Spanish Pediatric Clinical Trials Network.
Grupo de investigación acreditado por el Plan Andaluz de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (PAIDI) de la Junta de Andalucía. PAIDI CTS-639 - Pediatría. Investigación en áreas específicas.
Primary Care Interventions to Prevent Maternal and Child Chronic Diseases of Perinatal and Developmental Origin (RICORS), RD21/0012/0008, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Key Words
- Niños
- infancia
- síndrome metabólico
- enfermedades metabólicas
- obesidad
- oncología
- actividad física
- pre-probióticos
- enfermedad renal
- nutrición
- human milk bank
- breast milk
