Exploratory look at inflammatory signals during labor in first-time, low-risk pregnancies
Official title: Exploratory evaluation of labor-associated inflammatory profiles in low-risk nulliparous subgroups during induced and spontaneous labor
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11440523 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how chronic inflammation might affect labor in healthy first-time mothers and how racial differences in cesarean rates could be linked to immune signals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $217,950 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MD021640-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11440523 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Low-risk nulliparous women at term with planned vaginal delivery or scheduled cesarean may be eligible.
✕Less likely to help
Women outside the low-risk nulliparous, term, vertex group or those not undergoing labor may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project focuses on understanding how inflammatory processes inside the body influence labor in low-risk, first-pregnancy patients. The researchers will examine inflammatory markers in the cervix, uterus, and surrounding tissues to see how they relate to labor progress and delivery mode. The study could uncover why some groups have higher cesarean rates and whether chronic inflammation changes labor dynamics. The work is designed to deepen knowledge about labor physiology and its disparities, with potential implications for future interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could inform strategies to reduce unnecessary cesareans and improve labor management for diverse groups.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked inflammatory biology to labor, but this project aims to clarify chronic inflammation’s role in labor physiology.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Neal, Jeremy L — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Neal, Jeremy L
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.