Effects of stress during pregnancy on mothers and their infants

Intergenerational Effects of Stress among Low-Income Pregnant Mothers & their Infants

NIH-funded research California State University Long Beach · NIH-11088903

This study is looking at how stress in low-income pregnant moms can impact their health and their babies' health, focusing on a hormone called cortisol and some genetic factors, to help us understand how these things might affect the baby's health in the first six months after birth.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCalifornia State University Long Beach NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Long Beach, United States)
Project IDNIH-11088903 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how stress experienced by low-income pregnant mothers affects their health and the health of their infants. It focuses on the role of the stress hormone cortisol and genetic factors that may influence stress responses. By examining the relationship between maternal cortisol levels, genetic markers, and infant telomere length, the study aims to understand how these factors contribute to long-term health outcomes. The research will track changes in infant health over the first six months after birth.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are low-income pregnant women who may be experiencing high levels of stress.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not belong to low-income backgrounds may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health interventions for pregnant women and their infants, particularly in low-income populations.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that maternal stress can significantly impact infant health, suggesting that this research builds on established findings.

Where this research is happening

Long Beach, 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.