Investigating the effects of opioid exposure during pregnancy on infant development

HEAL Initiative: Antenatal Opioid Exposure Longitudinal Study Consortium

NIH-funded research Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11001685

This study is looking at how being exposed to opioids while in the womb affects babies' brains and development, and it will follow these babies from birth to two years old to learn more about their health and growth.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionChildren's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11001685 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how exposure to opioids during pregnancy affects the brain and development of infants. It involves a longitudinal study where infants, both exposed and unexposed to opioids, are followed from birth to two years of age. Researchers will collect data through parental reports, umbilical cord analysis, and advanced neuroimaging techniques to assess brain development and neurodevelopmental outcomes. The study aims to provide comprehensive insights into the impact of antenatal opioid exposure on children's health and development.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include infants born to mothers who used opioids during pregnancy, as well as infants born to mothers who did not use opioids.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than two years or those who were not exposed to opioids during pregnancy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for infants affected by opioid exposure during pregnancy.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding the effects of prenatal substance exposure, but this specific approach is novel and aims to fill significant gaps in existing data.

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.