How mothers' nutrition affects late pregnancy loss and newborn deaths in sub‑Saharan Africa
Nutrition, late fetal and neonatal mortality in the African context
This project looks at how maternal nutrition around late pregnancy is linked to stillbirths and deaths in the first month of life for babies in sub‑Saharan Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11398826 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, researchers will gather and analyze birth records, maternal information, and community health data across multiple countries in sub‑Saharan Africa to find nutrition-related risks for late fetal loss and early newborn death. They will work to improve how stillbirths and neonatal deaths are counted and distinguished from one another. The team will examine factors like preterm birth, low birthweight, and small-for-gestational-age in relation to mothers' nutritional status and care. Findings aim to point to where nutrition programs and clinical care could reduce deaths around the time of birth.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be pregnant women and their newborns in sub‑Saharan African settings, especially those experiencing preterm birth, low birthweight, or limited access to maternal nutrition services.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant, not caring for newborns, or who live outside sub‑Saharan Africa are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could guide better nutrition and care programs that reduce stillbirths and early newborn deaths in affected communities.
How similar studies have performed: Some nutrition programs have lowered risks for poor birth outcomes in other settings, but high-quality, region-wide data on stillbirths and neonatal deaths in sub‑Saharan Africa are limited, so this work combines established ideas with new measurement efforts.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guillot, Michel — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Guillot, Michel
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.