Impact of Gut Microbiome on Metabolic and Bowel Function During the First Year After Spinal Cord Injury

The Investigators will recruit 50 participants with acute SCI (within 72 hours of injury) Fasting blood collection and bowel function survey will be conducted 4 times: at baseline [the time of first stool sample, within 72 hours of injury] and 1, 6, and 12 months after SCI. Stool will be collected for gut microbiome analysis 4 times

Inclusion Criteria:18-65 years of agediagnosis of traumatic SCI at the cervical or thoracic level (C5-T6)classification of A, B (motor complete, incomplete).Exclusion Criteria:Women who are pregnant prior to consentneurological impairment other than SCIself-reported history of Crohn's disease or diverticulitisirritable bowel syndromegastric blockage/obstruction or swallowing disorderprior GI surgeryintrathecal pumpconcurrent usage of functional electrical stimulation for bowel management (e.g., constipation).