Investigating pregnancy exposures that may cause birth defects
Official title: Massachusetts Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention: Birth Defects Study To Evaluate Pregnancy exposureS (BD STEPS Core and Stillbirth)
Funded at Massachusetts State Dept of Pub Health · NIH-10907400 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to help pregnant women reduce the risk of birth defects by understanding how different things during pregnancy can affect their baby's health, and it will also help train new researchers in this important area.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts State Dept of Pub Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $855,000 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DD001300-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10907400 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant who are interested in understanding the impact of various exposures on birth defects.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or not planning to become pregnant may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on identifying modifiable risk factors for structural birth defects by evaluating pregnancy exposures. The Massachusetts Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention will utilize existing data and collaborate with local universities to conduct multiple research projects over the grant period. These projects aim to provide valuable insights that can help inform women about safer pregnancy practices and reduce the risk of birth defects. The research will also involve mentoring future researchers in the field.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved counseling for women regarding pregnancy exposures that are less likely to result in birth defects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in identifying risk factors for birth defects through similar epidemiological approaches.
Where this research is happening
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Massachusetts State Dept of Pub Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yazdy, Mahsa M — Massachusetts State Dept of Pub Health
- Study coordinator: Yazdy, Mahsa M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Birth Defects Prevention: How Pregnancy Exposures Shape Birth Outcomes (BD STEPS) for Massachusetts families
A Massachusetts team is studying how pregnancy exposures may influence birth defects to help families reduce risk in future pregnancies.
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Birth Defects Study to Understand Causes of Structural Birth Defects
A nationwide effort to find how genes and environment combine to cause structural birth defects, with the Arkansas Birth Defects study centers coordinating a pregnancy exposure look-back.
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Massachusetts center for birth defects and stillbirth prevention
This project looks at pregnancy exposures to find things people can avoid to lower the risk of structural birth defects and stillbirth.
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Arkansas birth defects and stillbirth center
Collecting information from pregnant people and families to find pregnancy-related causes of birth defects and stillbirths so future families can be helped.
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Investigating the causes of birth defects and their long-term effects on health.
This study is looking at what causes birth defects in babies, hoping to find ways to prevent them, and it’s for families who have been affected by these issues, as well as for moms and their children to help improve their health.
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How air pollution during pregnancy affects fetal growth over time
This study looks at how air pollution affects the growth of babies in the womb during pregnancy, using ultrasound images to track changes over time, and it aims to help expectant parents understand when their babies might be most at risk from pollution.
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.