How maternal obesity affects infant immune development and infection risk
“Role of Maternal Obesity in Epigenetic and Metabolic Programming and Lower Respiratory Infection Risk in Early Life”
This study is looking at how being overweight during pregnancy might affect a baby's immune system and make them more likely to get lung infections, and it’s for moms-to-be who want to understand how their health can impact their little ones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11057591 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how maternal obesity influences the immune system development of infants, particularly focusing on the risk of lower respiratory infections. The study will analyze data from mother-infant pairs, examining the epigenetic and metabolic changes that occur during pregnancy. By utilizing advanced techniques like DNA methylation analysis and metabolomic profiling, the research aims to uncover the biological mechanisms linking maternal obesity to increased infection susceptibility in early life.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants born to mothers with obesity, particularly those under 11 years old.
Not a fit: Patients who are not born to obese mothers or those who are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing respiratory infections in infants born to obese mothers.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the impact of maternal health on infant outcomes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gutierrez, Maria Jimena — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Gutierrez, Maria Jimena
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 below.