How common air pollutants during pregnancy affect mothers and babies

Impact of BTEX Chemical Exposure During Pregnancy to Maternal and Fetal Well-Being

NIH-funded research Wayne State University · NIH-11122286

This project looks at whether breathing certain air chemicals during pregnancy changes mothers' and newborns' immune health.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWayne State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Detroit, United States)
Project IDNIH-11122286 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you are pregnant, researchers at Wayne State are trying to understand how exposure to volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) in the air might cause inflammation in the placenta and change how your baby's immune system develops. They will examine placental and related tissues and track immune signals to see how those changes could affect babies' responses to infections after birth. The work focuses on pregnancies in Detroit, where preterm birth rates are high, and combines sample analysis with environmental exposure information to connect pollution and pregnancy outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants would be pregnant people (and their newborns), especially those living in urban areas with higher air pollution such as Detroit.

Not a fit: People who are not pregnant or whose health problems are unrelated to pregnancy or infant immune development are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to ways to reduce harmful exposures or protect newborns from pollution-related immune problems.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked air pollution during pregnancy to preterm birth and altered infant immune outcomes, but detailed biological pathways remain under study.

Where this research is happening

Detroit, 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.
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.