Improving neonatal health with rapid malaria testing in early pregnancy
Official title: Improving Neonatal health Through Rapid malaria testing in Early Pregnancy with high-sensitivity Diagnostics (INTREPiD)
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11519947 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests a high-sensitivity malaria test in pregnant people to help protect newborns in Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $162,915 |
| NIH project number | 3U01AI162463-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11519947 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant people in the first trimester in Kenya or the Democratic Republic of Congo who are at risk for malaria.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnant people without malaria risk or those not accessing early prenatal care may receive limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to introduce rapid, highly sensitive malaria testing early in pregnancy to identify infections sooner. It will work with Kenya and DR Congo partners to use new diagnostic tools and align with updated prenatal care guidelines. The team will train health workers, implement testing during the first trimester, and coordinate with existing malaria and maternal-child health programs. By catching infections early, the study hopes to reduce low birthweight and neonatal death in resource-limited settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could lower newborn mortality and improve birth outcomes by detecting and treating malaria earlier in pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show that early detection and treatment of malaria during pregnancy can improve outcomes, but this approach emphasizes first-trimester screening with high-sensitivity tests.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Taylor, Steve Myer — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Taylor, Steve Myer
Related research
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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.