How maternal health affects child development in Kenya

Association between adverse maternal factors and neurodevelopmental outcomes among children in Kenya

NIH-funded research University of Washington · NIH-10995170

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 typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-10995170 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: 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.

Not a fit: Patients who are not mothers or do not have children under the age of 5 may not receive direct benefits from this research.

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 performed: 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

Seattle, 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.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus
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.