How maternal obesity affects fetal fat storage and health outcomes
Official title: Exposure to complement induced preeclampsia promotes fetal steatosis
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10740802 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being overweight during pregnancy can affect a child's health, specifically how it might lead to fatty liver and other issues later in life, and it aims to find ways to help improve health for kids who might be impacted.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $160,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R03HD110796-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10740802 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include pregnant women with obesity or those at risk of developing obesity-related complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those without a history of obesity may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of maternal obesity during pregnancy on the development of fatty liver in offspring. It explores how an adverse intrauterine environment can lead to long-term health issues, including cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. The study utilizes animal models to understand the mechanisms behind increased fat storage in fetuses exposed to maternal overnutrition, focusing on the transfer of nutrients across the placenta. By examining these processes, the research aims to uncover potential interventions to improve health outcomes for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to strategies that mitigate the negative health effects of maternal obesity on children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that maternal nutrition significantly impacts offspring health, indicating that this research builds on established findings in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Banadakoppa, Manu — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Banadakoppa, Manu
Related research
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Folate Receptor Beta and its Role in Preeclampsia
This study explores how a protein called folate receptor beta on placental immune cells may drive or worsen preeclampsia in pregnancy, with hopes of finding new ways to prevent or treat the condition.
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.