Investigating nutrition's impact on stillbirth and neonatal deaths in Africa

Nutrition, late fetal and neonatal mortality in the African context

NIH-funded research University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10999611

This study is looking into why so many babies die shortly after birth in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on how nutrition might play a role, and it aims to gather important health information to help improve care for mothers and their babies.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pennsylvania NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-10999611 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the high rates of stillbirths and neonatal deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa, where millions of babies die shortly after birth. It aims to identify the nutritional factors that contribute to these adverse outcomes by collecting and analyzing data on maternal and infant health. The study will involve collaboration with local health systems to improve data quality and availability, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand. By addressing gaps in knowledge, the research seeks to inform health policies and interventions that can reduce mortality rates.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women and new mothers in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly those at risk of stillbirth or neonatal death.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or do not have newborns may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved nutritional guidelines and health policies that significantly reduce stillbirth and neonatal death rates in Sub-Saharan Africa.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that addressing nutritional factors can lead to significant improvements in maternal and infant health outcomes, indicating potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, 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.