Investigating how anesthesia and oxygen levels affect speech development in infants with oral clefts.
Official title: Speech Development and Brain Structure/Function in Infants with Isolated Oral Clefts: Relationship Anesthesia Exposure and Oxygenation
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-10980290 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how anesthesia and oxygen levels during surgery might affect speech development in babies with cleft lip and/or palate, so we can find better ways to help them with language and reading skills as they grow up.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $537,163 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DE033657-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10980290 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants diagnosed with isolated cleft lip and/or palate, particularly those scheduled for their first surgical intervention.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have isolated cleft lip and/or palate or those who are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the relationship between anesthesia exposure, oxygenation levels, and speech development in infants with isolated cleft lip and/or palate (iCL/P). By using neuroimaging techniques, the study aims to identify how these factors may contribute to language and reading disorders, which are prevalent in this population. Infants will be monitored before and after their first surgery to gather critical data on their neural development and pre-speech functioning. The findings could lead to improved clinical practices and interventions for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better treatment protocols that enhance speech and language outcomes for infants with oral clefts.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown associations between anesthesia exposure and developmental outcomes, but this specific investigation into infants with iCL/P is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Conrad, Amy Lynn — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Conrad, Amy Lynn
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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.