Detecting harmful chemicals to understand their effects on preterm births and lung health.

POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS: ULTRASENSITIVE DETECTION, EARLY LIFE EXPOSURES-CLINICAL OUTCOMES (PRETERM BIRTHS, CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE, AND NEUROCOGNITIVE DEFICITS), PREVENTION AND REMEDIATION

NIH-funded research Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10767853

This study is looking at how certain harmful chemicals in the environment might affect pregnant women and their babies, especially in areas near polluted sites in Houston, TX, to help find better ways to detect these chemicals and understand their impact on preterm births and health issues in newborns.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBaylor College of Medicine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10767853 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on preterm births and related health issues such as chronic lung disease and neurocognitive deficits. It focuses on developing advanced detection methods to identify these harmful chemicals in the environment, particularly around superfund sites in Houston, TX. By analyzing maternal exposure to PAHs, the study aims to establish a link between these exposures and adverse clinical outcomes in newborns. The innovative detection techniques being developed will allow for precise measurement of PAHs, which is crucial for assessing health risks.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women living near superfund sites who may be exposed to PAHs.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those living far from contaminated sites may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention of preterm births and associated health complications in infants.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that environmental exposures can significantly impact pregnancy outcomes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Houston, 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 chronic lung disease in infantschronic lung disease in neonatal infantschronic lung disease in neonateschronic lung disease in newbornschronic lung disease in prematurity
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.