How chemicals during pregnancy affect children's brain development and how nutrition can help.

Maternal exposure to chemicals and offspring neurodevelopmental disabilities: informing public health actions by understanding nutritional modifiers and simulating interventions

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11127870

This study is looking at how being exposed to harmful chemicals during pregnancy might affect children's brain development, and it wants to see if good nutrition can help reduce those risks, all while focusing on different groups of people and various developmental challenges kids might face.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-11127870 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of exposure to harmful chemicals, such as metals and PFAS, during pregnancy on the neurodevelopmental disorders in children. It aims to understand how nutritional factors may modify these effects and to simulate potential interventions that could mitigate risks. By addressing gaps in existing studies, the research will focus on diverse populations and consider multiple neurodevelopmental outcomes rather than just one. The goal is to generate actionable insights that can inform public health policies to protect children's health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals or those planning to become pregnant, particularly those exposed to environmental chemicals.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or who have already given birth may not benefit directly from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved public health strategies that reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental disabilities in children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding the interplay between environmental exposures and nutrition can lead to significant advancements in public health, making this approach promising.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, 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.
Conditions Attention deficit hyperactivity disorderAutistic Disorder
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.