How prenatal chemical exposures and pandemic stress may affect mothers and babies
Prenatal endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pandemic-related stress and social risk in mothers and infants
The project looks at whether certain prenatal chemical exposures and pandemic-related stress are linked with how mothers and infants interact and early baby development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10929933 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join, researchers will enroll me during pregnancy and collect several urine samples in the third trimester to measure bisphenol chemicals (BPA, BPS, BPF). They will also collect information about pandemic-related stress and social risk factors that might affect parenting. After my baby is born, the team will observe and measure second-by-second mother–infant interactions to see if chemical exposures relate to caregiving and infant behavior. The study builds on animal work and asks whether those findings apply to people, including newer BPA replacement chemicals.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant people in late pregnancy (third trimester) who can provide urine samples and participate in follow-up mother–infant visits are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant or who cannot attend local study visits are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to chemicals or stressors to avoid and inform guidance or interventions to protect mother–infant bonding and early development.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have shown BPA can disrupt maternal care and offspring behavior, human evidence is limited, and effects of BPA replacements (BPS/BPF) are relatively untested in people.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herbstman, Julie Beth — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Herbstman, Julie Beth
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.