Effects of iodized salt during pregnancy and breastfeeding on infant brain development in rural Ethiopia
Official title: Effect of iodized salt in pregnancy and lactation on infant neurodevelopment in rural Ethiopia
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11393885 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Pregnant and breastfeeding people in rural Ethiopia will receive iodized salt to see how it affects their baby’s brain development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $506,114 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD107475-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393885 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant people in early to mid-pregnancy and infants up to 11 years old in the study regions, especially those with or at risk of iodine deficiency.
✕Less likely to help
Families in areas with adequate iodine intake or those not following the intervention may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project tests whether providing adequately iodized salt to pregnant and lactating people influences how infants’ brains develop, using brainwave measurements to track neural function. It builds on an existing randomized trial and will monitor outcomes during pregnancy and after birth. The study aims to clarify how iodine intake during these critical periods shapes skills like attention, movement, language, and memory in early childhood.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could guide dietary guidelines and public health policies to support healthier brain development in infants.
How similar studies have gone: Prior evidence supports iodine’s role in development, but this trial will provide more definitive data on mild-to-moderate deficiency during pregnancy and lactation.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cherkerzian, Sara — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Cherkerzian, Sara
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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.