Investigating the causes of birth defects and their long-term effects on health.

Birth Defects Study to Evaluate Pregnancy exposureS (BD-STEPS) Core? Arkansas Center and Stillbirth

NIH-funded research Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-10907398

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.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Little Rock, United States)
Project IDNIH-10907398 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to understand the complex factors that contribute to birth defects, which affect 3% of liveborn babies in the US. By examining both environmental and genetic influences, the study seeks to identify modifiable risk factors that could help prevent these defects. The research will involve collecting data from affected families and analyzing the long-term health impacts on both mothers and children. Ultimately, the goal is to improve maternal and child health outcomes through better understanding and prevention strategies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women and families with a history of birth defects or those who have experienced a birth defect in their child.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a history of birth defects or are not currently pregnant may not receive benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective prevention strategies for birth defects, improving health outcomes for mothers and children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies, such as the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, have shown success in identifying risk factors for birth defects, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful findings.

Where this research is happening

Little Rock, 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.