How maternal health affects newborn immunity to COVID-19

Investigating the role of maternal-fetal crosstalk on neonatal immunity in COVID-19 infection or vaccination in pregnancy

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11005739

This study looks at how a mother's COVID-19 infection or vaccination can affect her baby's immune system, helping us understand how antibodies are passed from mom to baby and how this might protect them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11005739 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how maternal infection or vaccination against COVID-19 influences the immune responses of newborns. It focuses on the transfer of antibodies from mother to fetus and how this may protect or affect the infant's immune system. By analyzing samples from pregnant women and their infants, the study aims to understand the specific immune responses that develop in newborns as a result of maternal COVID-19 exposure. The findings could help optimize vaccination strategies for pregnant women to enhance protection for both mothers and their babies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women who have been infected with COVID-19 or vaccinated against it, as well as their newborns.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or whose infants are older than 4 weeks may not receive any benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved vaccination strategies for pregnant women, enhancing immunity in newborns against COVID-19.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results regarding maternal vaccination and its effects on neonatal immunity, indicating that this approach is building on established findings.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, 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 after COVID-19 infectionafter infection by SARS-CoV-2
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.