Effects of parental opioid use on children's health

Intergenerational effects of America's opioid crisis: Early life exposure to parental opioid use and offspring health

NIH-funded research Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11175137

This study looks at how children’s health and happiness can be affected when their parents use opioids during pregnancy and early childhood, helping us understand the long-term effects so we can better support families in need.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWeill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11175137 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how exposure to parental opioid use during pregnancy and early childhood affects the health and well-being of children. It focuses on understanding the long-term consequences of such exposure, including mental health disorders, chronic conditions, and healthcare utilization. The study employs a life course perspective, examining data on children from birth to age 8 to identify patterns and outcomes related to early life adversity. The research aims to provide insights that could inform interventions and support for affected families.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research are children aged 0 to 8 years who have been exposed to parental opioid use.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 8 years or have not been exposed to parental opioid use may not receive benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes and support services for children affected by parental opioid use.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown significant impacts of early life exposure to parental substance use on child health, indicating that this approach is grounded in established findings.

Where this research is happening

New York, 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.
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.