HPV and pregnancy risk: a large group study
Official title: Human papillomavirus and risk to pregnancy: a cohort study
Funded at University of Texas Med Br Galveston · NIH-11404054 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will follow pregnant people to see if HPV infection is linked to adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Med Br Galveston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Galveston, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $778,433 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI184534-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404054 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant people receiving care at the three participating clinics who consent to HPV testing and follow-up.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnant people without access to the clinics or who do not participate may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
The study is a prospective cohort enrolling 1,280 pregnancies from three clinics to track HPV infection during pregnancy and any complications in birth. Researchers will collect vaginal swabs and other samples over time to measure HPV presence and types, while recording pregnancy outcomes. The goal is to understand whether prenatal HPV exposure increases the risk of preterm birth or other adverse events, using careful measurements to reduce bias. If HPV is linked to complications, findings could inform future screening and care during pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If a link is found, this could lead to better prenatal monitoring and interventions to reduce preterm birth associated with HPV.
How similar studies have gone: Prior prospective cohorts have shown mixed results; this study aims to provide clearer evidence in a US population with robust design.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Med Br Galveston
Galveston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berenson, Abbey B — University of Texas Med Br Galveston
- Study coordinator: Berenson, Abbey B
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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.