How early-life environment and placental biology shape development in children born extremely preterm
Environment, Epigenetics, Neurodevelopment & Health of Extremely Preterm Children
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · NIH-11319113
This project follows children born extremely preterm to learn how early environmental exposures and placental biological markers relate to brain development and conditions like autism.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11319113 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If your child was born extremely preterm and is part of the ELGAN cohort, the team will continue to follow them through childhood into young adulthood, collecting health information and biological samples. Researchers will link measures of chemical and social exposures before and after pregnancy with placental and blood markers of inflammation and epigenetics. The project works with the larger ECHO program to share data and apply a standard protocol across sites. Study staff will also focus on keeping families engaged so outcomes over time can be documented and compared.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are children who were born extremely preterm and are already enrolled in the ELGAN cohort, along with their families who can provide follow-up visits, surveys, or biospecimens.
Not a fit: Children born at term or individuals not enrolled in the ELGAN/ECHO cohorts are unlikely to be eligible or directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could identify environmental and biological signs that help prevent, detect earlier, or better support neurodevelopmental problems including autism in children born extremely preterm.
How similar studies have performed: Prior ELGAN and other birth-cohort studies have shown links between early exposures, placental changes, and neurodevelopment, and this project expands that longer-term follow-up to strengthen those findings.
Where this research is happening
CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES
- UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL — CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'SHEA, MICHAEL — UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- Study coordinator: O'SHEA, MICHAEL
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 below.
Conditions: Autistic Disorder