Helping infants and toddlers affected by prenatal alcohol exposure
Official title: Families Moving Forward Bridges: An Early Intervention Enhancement for Infants and Toddlers with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure with or at-risk for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10951335 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping babies and toddlers who may have been affected by alcohol during pregnancy, by providing support to their families to boost their development and strengthen the bond between parents and children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $231,364 |
| NIH project number | 1R61AA031695-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10951335 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants and toddlers under the age of three who have been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy or are at risk for FASD.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than three years or who have not been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on providing early intervention for infants and toddlers who have been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy or are at risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The program, called Families Moving Forward Bridges, aims to support child development and strengthen the parent-child relationship during critical early years. By utilizing evidence-based practices, the intervention seeks to reduce the negative effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and improve outcomes for these vulnerable children and their families. Caregivers will receive resources and support to help manage parenting stress and enhance their child's development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve developmental outcomes for infants and toddlers affected by prenatal alcohol exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with similar early intervention approaches for children with FASD, indicating the potential effectiveness of this program.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jirikowic, Tracy L — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Jirikowic, Tracy L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Cellular mechanisms shaping fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
This NIH grant studies how alcohol exposure before birth damages development at the cellular level, with potential to improve understanding and care for individuals affected by FASD.
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Web tools to screen children for effects of prenatal alcohol exposure
This project uses online tools to check children ages 6–17 for physical, thinking, and behavior signs linked to prenatal alcohol exposure.
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Choline Genetics and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Children
This study looks at how genetic differences in choline metabolism affect cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children with prenatal alcohol exposure who may benefit from choline supplementation.
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Data coordination for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders research
A national collaboration coordinates data and sharing to help understand and improve care for children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure and FASD.
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Improved FASD screening for kids using BRAIN-online in Spanish
A web-based, Spanish-enabled screening tool helps identify signs of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in children to guide further evaluation and support.
-
How prenatal alcohol exposure harms hearing development
Researchers are looking at how alcohol exposure during pregnancy changes the brain cells that help process sound in mice, to better understand hearing problems in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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.