Improving child heart health by reducing depression in pregnant women

Reducing maternal prenatal depression to improve child cardiovascular health

NIH-funded research University of Denver (Colorado Seminary) · NIH-11246005

This study is looking at whether helping pregnant moms feel less depressed can lead to better heart health for their kids as they grow up.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Denver (Colorado Seminary) NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Denver, United States)
Project IDNIH-11246005 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how reducing prenatal depression in mothers can positively impact the cardiovascular health of their children. By utilizing a randomized controlled trial, the study will implement a psychosocial intervention aimed at alleviating depressive symptoms in pregnant women. The researchers will monitor both maternal and child behaviors and physiological responses over time to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. The goal is to determine if lowering maternal depression can lead to better heart health outcomes for children as they grow.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women experiencing high levels of depressive symptoms.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those without significant depressive symptoms may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cardiovascular health in children by addressing maternal mental health during pregnancy.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that interventions to reduce maternal depression can be effective, but this specific approach focusing on cardiovascular outcomes in children is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Denver, 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 2026-06-13 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.