Effects of stress during pregnancy on mothers and their infants
Official title: Intergenerational Effects of Stress among Low-Income Pregnant Mothers & their Infants
Funded at California State University Long Beach · NIH-11088903 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California State University Long Beach NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Long Beach, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $147,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM145482-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11088903 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are low-income pregnant women who may be experiencing high levels of stress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not belong to low-income backgrounds may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Urizar, Guido G. — California State University Long Beach
- Study coordinator: Urizar, Guido G.
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.