How diabetes in pregnant women affects heart development in babies

Cellular Stress-Induced Gene Dysregulation in Heart Defects Formation of Diabetic Pregnancy

NIH-funded research University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10657369

This study looks at how a mother's diabetes might affect her baby's heart development, aiming to find out how diabetes can lead to heart problems in infants and what can be done to help prevent them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10657369 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of maternal diabetes on the development of congenital heart defects (CHDs) in infants. It focuses on understanding how diabetes-induced oxidative stress affects heart formation during pregnancy. The study aims to identify the mechanisms by which diabetes alters gene expression and signaling pathways critical for heart development. By examining specific genes and cellular processes, the research seeks to uncover potential targets for intervention to prevent heart defects in newborns.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women with pre-existing type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Not a fit: Patients without diabetes or those who are not pregnant may not receive any benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing congenital heart defects in babies born to diabetic mothers.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding the genetic and environmental factors contributing to congenital heart defects can lead to significant advancements in prevention strategies.

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.
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.