Effects of prenatal fatty acid supplementation on asthma and allergies in Black American children
Official title: Prenatal Fatty Acid Supplementation and Early Childhood Asthma and Atopy in Black American Families
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11010418 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether giving pregnant Black American mothers a special fatty acid called DHA can help lower the chances of their children developing asthma and allergies, while also helping moms manage stress better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $499,272 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL162644-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11010418 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are pregnant Black women living in low-resourced communities, particularly those with a history of stress or asthma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not identify as Black American may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how prenatal supplementation with fatty acids, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can influence the development of asthma and allergies in children from Black American families. The study aims to improve prenatal stress regulation in mothers, which may subsequently reduce asthma risk in their children. Participants will be involved in a double-blind, randomized controlled trial, where some will receive the supplementation while others will receive a placebo. The research focuses on understanding the impact of these interventions on early childhood health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective prenatal interventions that significantly reduce the incidence of asthma and allergies in Black American children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with prenatal fatty acid supplementation in improving health outcomes, suggesting potential for success in this research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Keenan, Kathryn Elizabeth — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Keenan, Kathryn Elizabeth
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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.