How placental blood flow affects brain development in infants with heart defects
Placental hemodynamic effects on brain development in infants with congenital heart disease
This study is looking at how blood flow in the placenta affects brain development in babies with congenital heart disease, and it’s for pregnant people who are expecting babies with certain heart defects, as well as those with healthy pregnancies, to help us understand how these factors are connected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10908346 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of placental blood flow on brain development in infants diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD). Using advanced imaging techniques, the study will evaluate how changes in placental perfusion influence brain growth and function from the fetal stage through early infancy. The research will involve pregnant individuals carrying fetuses with specific types of heart defects, comparing them to healthy pregnancies to understand the differences in placental and brain health. By analyzing both imaging data and placental tissue samples, the study aims to uncover critical insights into the relationship between placental health and brain development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant individuals whose fetuses have been diagnosed with congenital heart defects, particularly those with left or right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.
Not a fit: Patients without congenital heart disease or those who are not pregnant may not receive any benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of brain development issues in infants with congenital heart disease.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this research is novel, previous studies have shown that understanding placental function can significantly impact fetal health outcomes.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leon, Rachel L — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Leon, Rachel L
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.