Impact of iodized salt during pregnancy and breastfeeding on infant brain development in rural Ethiopia
Official title: Effect of iodized salt in pregnancy and lactation on infant neurodevelopment in rural Ethiopia
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10891512 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how giving pregnant women iodized salt can help their babies' brain development in rural Ethiopia, where many people don't get enough iodine, and it aims to find out if this can improve things like their babies' attention and language skills.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $690,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD107475-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10891512 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are pregnant women in rural Ethiopia who are experiencing mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or lactating, or those living in areas with adequate iodine levels, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how iodized salt supplementation during pregnancy and lactation affects the neurodevelopment of infants in rural Ethiopia, where iodine deficiency is common. Pregnant women will be randomly assigned to receive either iodized salt or standard nutrition support, and the effects on their infants' brain functions will be monitored. The study aims to clarify the role of iodine in brain development, particularly in areas like visual attention and language skills. By focusing on a population with mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency, the research seeks to provide insights that could improve health outcomes for mothers and their children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved infant neurodevelopment and better health outcomes for children in iodine-deficient regions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown positive outcomes from iodine supplementation in severe deficiency cases, but this study explores a less tested area of mild-to-moderate deficiency.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cherkerzian, Sara — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Cherkerzian, Sara
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Iodized salt and early brain development in babies of pregnant and breastfeeding women in rural Ethiopia
This grant tests whether giving iodized salt to pregnant and breastfeeding women helps their babies’ brain development.
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Effects of iodized salt during pregnancy and breastfeeding on infant brain development in rural Ethiopia
Pregnant and breastfeeding people in rural Ethiopia will receive iodized salt to see how it affects their baby’s brain development.
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Iodized salt for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to support babies' brain development in rural Ethiopia
This project gives iodized salt to pregnant and breastfeeding women in rural Ethiopia to see if it helps their babies' early brain, attention, and motor development.
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Effects of restricting non-nutritive sweeteners during pregnancy on infant growth
A study will test whether limiting non-nutritive sweeteners in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers affects how babies eat, grow, and develop in the first two years.
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Iodized salt in pregnancy and breastfeeding and infant brain development
Pregnant and breastfeeding women in rural Ethiopia receive iodized salt to help support their babies' early brain, motor, and language development.
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.