Effects of fentanyl use during pregnancy on mothers and their babies
Official title: Fentanyl use during pregnancy: impact on dam, placenta, and offspring development.
Funded at University of Mississippi Med Ctr · NIH-10750077 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how using fentanyl during pregnancy can affect moms, their placentas, and their babies, using rats to understand the possible health issues that might arise for both mothers and their little ones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Mississippi Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jackson, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,509,492 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA059181-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10750077 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who are using or have used fentanyl or other opioids during their pregnancy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or who have not used opioids during pregnancy may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how fentanyl use during pregnancy affects the health of mothers, the placenta, and the development of their offspring. Using a rat model, the study examines the physiological changes in mothers who self-administer fentanyl, including impacts on cardiovascular health and stress responses. It also explores how these changes influence placental function and the health outcomes of the newborns, particularly focusing on withdrawal symptoms and developmental impairments. The findings aim to provide insights into the broader implications of opioid use during pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of the risks associated with opioid use during pregnancy, ultimately enhancing maternal and child health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While there is existing research on opioid use during pregnancy, this specific approach using a translational animal model to assess multiple health outcomes is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Mississippi Med Ctr
Jackson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rüedi-Bettschen, Daniela — University of Mississippi Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Rüedi-Bettschen, Daniela
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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.