Fetal heart disease and placental blood flow in pregnancy
Official title: Fetal Congenital Heart Disease and Hypoxia-Induced Inflammation of the Placenta
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11352386 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A mother-and-child focused project to understand how placental blood flow in pregnancies with fetal heart disease affects the baby’s brain development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R03HL185218-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11352386 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant people carrying a fetus diagnosed with left or right ventricular outflow tract obstruction CHD or healthy controls, with pregnancies followed longitudinally.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnancies without CHD or those not meeting imaging and consent criteria may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses advanced MRI to study how placental perfusion changes during pregnancy in fetuses with congenital heart disease and in healthy pregnancies. It aims to see how these placental differences influence fetal brain growth and early brain regulation after birth. The goal is to identify strategies that could protect or improve neurodevelopment for children with complex heart conditions. The research is led by a clinician-scientist experienced in neonatal-perinatal medicine and neuroscience. The study builds on prior work and mentors to establish a broader program in neuroplacentology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide interventions to promote healthier brain development in babies with congenital heart disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown placental blood flow and brain development are linked in CHD, with new techniques strengthening this connection.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leon, Rachel L — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Leon, Rachel L
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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.