Effects of prenatal fatty acid supplementation on asthma and allergies in Black American children

Prenatal Fatty Acid Supplementation and Early Childhood Asthma and Atopy in Black American Families

NIH-funded research University of Chicago · NIH-11010418

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-11010418 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are pregnant Black women living in low-resourced communities, particularly those with a history of stress or asthma.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not identify as Black American may not receive benefits from this research.

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 performed: 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

Chicago, 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.
Conditions Allergic Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.