Investigating the effects of PFAS chemicals on pregnancy outcomes in Black women
Official title: A Prospective Study of Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Mixtures and Pregnancy Outcomes among Black Women
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11054783 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain harmful chemicals in our environment might affect pregnancy outcomes for Black women, and it wants to understand the role of stress and other factors in this process, so if you're a Black woman who is pregnant or planning to be, your participation could help shed light on these important issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $121,057 |
| NIH project number | 1K99ES036288-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054783 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black women of reproductive age who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Black women or those who are not of reproductive age may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are harmful chemicals, affects pregnancy outcomes among Black women. It aims to explore the impact of PFAS mixtures, the role of perceived stress, and the biological mechanisms behind these effects. By analyzing data from a cohort of reproductive-aged Black women, the study will assess pregnancy outcomes such as spontaneous abortion, pre-term birth, and birth size. Participants will provide blood samples and complete questionnaires to gather comprehensive data on their health and environmental exposures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes in Black women exposed to PFAS.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown associations between PFAS exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes, but this specific focus on Black women and PFAS mixtures is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schildroth, Samantha — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Schildroth, Samantha
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
Postoperative Pain Guidelines for Pregnancy: Safer, Patient-Centered Opioid Use
We’re creating patient-friendly guidelines to help doctors manage pain after delivery and surgery in pregnant people, aiming to reduce opioid overuse and improve safety.
-
HPV and pregnancy risk: a big study following 1,280 pregnancies
A large pregnancy study at UTMB looks at whether human papillomavirus (HPV) during pregnancy is linked to problems like preterm birth.
-
Understanding how where you live and personal factors during pregnancy affect a child’s risk for obesity and metabolic problems
This project looks at how neighborhood conditions and individual factors during pregnancy may influence a child’s risk of obesity and metabolic health as they grow.
-
Blocking cancer-causing cMYC tricks after pregnancy changes in the breast
Researchers are testing how pregnancy and aging reshape the breast before cancer risk, using patient-reinformed models to see if it changes how dangerous cMYC signals behave.
-
SSRI use during pregnancy: effects on placental blood flow and inflammation
This grant studies how antidepressants (SSRIs) used during pregnancy might affect the placenta and inflammation, and whether a 5-HT2 receptor blocker could mitigate any negative effects.
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.