Air Pollution and Cerebral Palsy Risk

Air Pollution Exposure and Risk for Cerebral Palsy - A Statewide Study

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-11136277

This research looks at whether exposure to air pollution might be connected to the risk of developing cerebral palsy in children.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-11136277 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Cerebral palsy is a common condition affecting children's movement, and while we know it's caused by brain damage, the exact triggers are often a mystery. This project aims to explore if air pollution exposure, especially during pregnancy, plays a role in increasing the risk for cerebral palsy. Researchers will look at existing health records across a state to see if there's a link between where families lived and the air quality in those areas, and if that relates to a child's cerebral palsy diagnosis. By understanding these connections, we hope to identify environmental factors that might contribute to this condition.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This project uses existing health data from children diagnosed with cerebral palsy and their mothers, primarily focusing on those in California.

Not a fit: Patients who have already developed cerebral palsy would not directly benefit from this specific study, as it focuses on identifying risk factors for its development.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify environmental risk factors for cerebral palsy, potentially leading to new prevention strategies for families.

How similar studies have performed: While previous research has suggested air pollution can affect factors related to cerebral palsy, direct studies linking air pollution exposure to cerebral palsy development are few, making this a relatively novel approach.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired brain injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.