Investigating the link between air pollution and cerebral palsy risk
Official title: Air Pollution Exposure and Risk for Cerebral Palsy - A Statewide Study
Funded at Yale University · NIH-10993240 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how air pollution during pregnancy might affect the chances of babies developing cerebral palsy, and it's for expectant parents who want to understand how their environment could impact their child's health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $238,995 |
| NIH project number | 1R21ES035485-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993240 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant individuals living in areas with varying levels of air pollution, particularly those expecting a child at risk for cerebral palsy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those whose children are already diagnosed with cerebral palsy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may influence the development of cerebral palsy (CP) in newborns. By analyzing data from a statewide study, the researchers aim to identify environmental risk factors that could contribute to brain damage in infants. The study will focus on various pollutants and their potential impact on perinatal health indicators, such as preterm birth and Apgar scores. The findings could help clarify the relationship between air quality and neurological outcomes in children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies for cerebral palsy by identifying modifiable environmental risk factors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has suggested a correlation between air pollution and adverse neurological outcomes, indicating that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liew, Zeyan — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Liew, Zeyan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Measuring how kids with cerebral palsy adapt their walking
A study to understand how children with cerebral palsy learn and adjust walking, and how personalized feedback during walking might improve their mobility.
-
Precise measure of how CP affects movement to guide treatment
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Non-invasive spinal stimulation to help kids with cerebral palsy move and reduce stiffness
This study tests a non-invasive spinal stimulation plus treadmill training to reduce spasticity and improve walking in children with cerebral palsy.
-
Physiologic marker to predict cerebral palsy early in high-risk babies
Aims to create an early, easy screen using NICU vital signs to flag infants at higher risk for cerebral palsy so families can get timely follow-up.
-
Post-surgical foot deformities in adults with cerebral palsy: understanding long-term function
This research looks at how hindfoot problems in adults with cerebral palsy behave over time after childhood surgeries and what factors influence their lasting function.
-
Dynamic Brain Imaging of Cerebral Palsy Gait
This project uses advanced brain and spinal imaging to understand how cerebral palsy affects the way young people plan and control their leg movements during walking.
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.