How maternal COVID-19 infection affects baby brain development
Official title: Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection, placenta biology, and neurodevelopmental outcomes in the offspring
Funded at Lieber Institute, INC. · NIH-10900788 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how COVID-19 in pregnant women might affect the placenta and, in turn, the brain development of their babies, with the goal of finding ways to help prevent any potential developmental issues in children born to moms who had the virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lieber Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,431,755 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD107140-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10900788 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant individuals who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 and their infants.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or whose pregnancies occurred without SARS-CoV-2 infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on the placenta and the subsequent neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants. It aims to understand how changes in the placenta due to COVID-19 can lead to risks of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. The study will analyze the relationships between maternal infection, placental biology, and the brain development of offspring, particularly focusing on genetic risk factors and sex differences. By identifying these connections, the research seeks to inform potential prevention strategies for neurodevelopmental issues in children born to infected mothers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early identification and prevention strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders in children exposed to maternal COVID-19.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has indicated potential links between maternal infections during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes, suggesting this area of investigation is both relevant and necessary.
Where this research is happening
-
Lieber Institute, INC.
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ursini, Gianluca — Lieber Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Ursini, Gianluca
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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.