Effects of prenatal exposure to chemicals on mother-infant interactions and development
Official title: Prenatal endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pandemic-related stress and social risk in mothers and infants
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10573800 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain chemicals found in everyday products might affect the way pregnant women connect with their babies, especially during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s for expectant moms who want to understand how these factors could influence their baby's development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $259,200 |
| NIH project number | 1R21ES034858-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10573800 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who are in their third trimester and may have been exposed to bisphenols.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who are not in their third trimester may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, specifically bisphenols, during pregnancy affects the interactions between mothers and their infants. By recruiting pregnant women and analyzing urine samples for chemical exposure, the study aims to understand how these chemicals may disrupt maternal behaviors and influence infant social and cognitive development. The research also considers the added stress from the COVID-19 pandemic, which may further impact these interactions. The goal is to provide a detailed assessment of mother-infant interactions to identify potential risks associated with chemical exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions to enhance mother-infant bonding and developmental outcomes for infants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that prenatal exposure to similar chemicals can negatively impact maternal behaviors and child development, indicating that this study builds on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herbstman, Julie Beth — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Herbstman, Julie Beth
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.