Effects of prenatal virus exposure on children's language development
Official title: Long-term language outcomes in children with prenatal virus exposure
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11061107 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being exposed to the Zika virus before birth might affect the way children learn to talk and communicate as they grow up, focusing on kids born during the Zika outbreak in Brazil who seemed healthy at birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $601,188 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC021698-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061107 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who were exposed to viruses during pregnancy, particularly those born during the Zika virus outbreak.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who were not exposed to prenatal viruses or who are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how prenatal exposure to viruses, particularly the Zika virus, affects language development in children who appeared healthy at birth. It focuses on a unique group of children born during the Zika pandemic in Brazil, assessing their language skills as they grow older. The study employs sensitive behavioral and physiological measures to identify potential language deficits that may not be immediately apparent. By understanding these impacts, the research aims to provide insights into the long-term effects of prenatal viral exposure on communication abilities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early identification and intervention strategies for children at risk of language development issues due to prenatal virus exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that prenatal exposure to viruses can lead to identifiable developmental issues, but this study aims to explore less obvious language deficits, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hood, Linda J. — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hood, Linda J.
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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.