How maternal health affects child development in Kenya
Official title: Association between adverse maternal factors and neurodevelopmental outcomes among children in Kenya
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10995170 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how things like a mother's stress, diet, and health can affect her baby's brain development in Kenya, and it will follow mother-baby pairs for two years to see how these factors influence the baby's growth and development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2024 |
| Project end | September 15, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $76,108 |
| NIH project number | 1F32HD116460-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10995170 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are mothers in Kenya who are pregnant or have recently given birth, particularly those facing health challenges such as HIV or nutritional deficiencies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not mothers or do not have children under the age of 5 may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how various maternal factors, such as stress, nutrition, and health conditions like HIV, impact the neurodevelopment of children in Kenya. By studying a cohort of mother-infant pairs, the project aims to understand the relationship between maternal health and the composition of human milk, which may influence child growth and development. The research will follow these infants for two years to assess their neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months of age, providing insights into how maternal factors can be modified to improve child health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved maternal health interventions that enhance child neurodevelopment in Kenya.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited data on this specific approach in Sub-Saharan Africa, similar studies in high-income settings have shown promising results regarding maternal health and child development.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tiwari, Ruchi — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Tiwari, Ruchi
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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.