How maternal health affects newborn immunity to COVID-19
Official title: Investigating the role of maternal-fetal crosstalk on neonatal immunity in COVID-19 infection or vaccination in pregnancy
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11005739 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $693,928 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111582-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11005739 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women who have been infected with COVID-19 or vaccinated against it, as well as their newborns.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or whose infants are older than 4 weeks may not receive any benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gaw, Stephanie Lina — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Gaw, Stephanie Lina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How COVID infection or vaccination during pregnancy shapes newborn immunity
This project looks at how getting COVID or a COVID vaccine while pregnant changes a mother's antibodies and a newborn's immune cells.
-
Vaccine failure after Covid-19 vaccination in older adults
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-
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REDES: a community network and mobile health approach to boost COVID-19 vaccines for low-income Latinos
A Johns Hopkins team tests a CHW-led, network-based and mobile health approach to help low-income Latinos get vaccinated against COVID-19.
-
Scaling COVID-19 vaccination through community engagement and care coordination for underserved communities
A community-centered plan in San Diego tests ways to make COVID-19 vaccines easier to access and more trusted for immigrant, refugee, Latino, and BIPOC adults 21 and older.
-
How COVID-19 affects thinking, mental health, and social connections in recently housed veterans
This project looks at whether having COVID-19 leads to lasting problems with memory, mood, and social connection for veterans who were recently homeless.
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.