Identifying obesity risks in preterm infants

Preventing Obesity in Preterm Infants

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-10886614

This study is looking at how the growth of fat in babies born a bit early (between 32 and 36 weeks) can help us understand their chances of becoming overweight or having health problems later on, especially considering things like their mom's weight and diabetes.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-10886614 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the development of fat tissue in preterm infants can indicate their risk for obesity and related health issues later in life. It focuses on infants born moderately preterm, between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation, and examines how factors like maternal obesity and diabetes affect their growth and metabolism. By using advanced imaging techniques and biological markers, the study aims to identify early signs of obesity risk, which could lead to targeted interventions for at-risk infants.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants born moderately preterm, particularly those whose mothers have experienced obesity or gestational diabetes.

Not a fit: Patients who are not preterm or do not have a family history of obesity or metabolic disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help identify preterm infants at risk for obesity, allowing for early interventions to improve their long-term health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in identifying obesity risks in preterm infants using similar methodologies, suggesting that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.