Improving mothers' nutrition before pregnancy to help babies grow
Preconception Maternal Nutrition, Offspring DNA Methylation, and InfantGrowth in Low Resource Settings
Women in low-resource areas will take a small, nutrient-rich supplement before pregnancy to try to change babies' DNA marks at birth and support healthier growth in the first two years of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11086175 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join as a woman planning pregnancy, I would take a small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement (sqLNS) before conception. My baby’s blood or other samples would be collected at birth so researchers can measure DNA methylation (epigenetic marks) and compare specific regions called metastable epialleles and epigenetic clock measures. The research team will follow my child’s growth through two years of age and compare results across different supplement groups. Local clinic visits and sample collection in communities with high rates of stunting will be part of participation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are women of childbearing age in low-resource or low-income regions who are planning to conceive or could become pregnant.
Not a fit: People who are not planning pregnancy, men, or individuals outside the targeted low-resource communities are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a simple pre-pregnancy nutrition approach that lowers childhood stunting and improves long-term health outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown maternal nutrition around conception can change some infant epigenetic marks and affect growth, but applying a preconception lipid-based supplement to produce lasting growth benefits is still being tested.
Where this research is happening
Oklahoma City, United States
- University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr — Oklahoma City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Borengasser, Sarah Jean — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Borengasser, Sarah Jean
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.