Effects of COVID-19 during pregnancy on child growth and development in malaria-prone areas
Official title: Impact of gestational SARS-CoV-2 and maternal inflammation on child growth and neurodevelopment in a malaria-endemic setting
Funded at Kaiser Foundation Research Institute · NIH-11009494 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how COVID-19 and inflammation during pregnancy might affect the growth and brain development of babies born to mothers in Uganda who also had malaria, so we can better understand the long-term effects on these children as they grow up.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kaiser Foundation Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oakland, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $193,320 |
| NIH project number | 5K23AI177817-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11009494 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women in malaria-endemic regions who may be exposed to COVID-19.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those living in non-malaria endemic areas may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how maternal COVID-19 infection and inflammation during pregnancy affect the growth and neurodevelopment of children in regions where malaria is common. By analyzing data and samples from mother-infant pairs involved in ongoing trials in Uganda, the study aims to understand the long-term impacts of gestational COVID-19 on infants. The research will focus on infants born to mothers who experienced COVID-19 and malaria during pregnancy, assessing their growth and development up to four years of age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for children affected by maternal COVID-19 and malaria, enhancing their growth and developmental outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown significant impacts of maternal infections on child development, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Kaiser Foundation Research Institute
Oakland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jacobson, Karen Blake — Kaiser Foundation Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Jacobson, Karen Blake
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.