Iodine and women's fertility and pregnancy health
Official title: Iodine Deficiency: Novel assessment methods and implications for reproductive health
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11319774 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether better measuring and fixing iodine levels can help women trying to get pregnant have healthier pregnancies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | April 5, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $665,923 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111643-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11319774 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are women of reproductive age, especially those trying to conceive, currently pregnant, or with a history of pregnancy loss.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not of reproductive age or whose fertility issues are caused by non-nutritional factors may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
You may be asked to provide multiple urine samples so researchers can measure iodine more accurately than a single spot test. They will compare those iodine patterns with outcomes like how long it takes to get pregnant, pregnancy loss, and other pregnancy complications. The team will study how day-to-day variation affects classification and whether low-cost steps like supplements or fortification could help. Results aim to inform clearer advice for women, doctors, and public health actions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to clearer guidance and affordable iodine interventions that reduce infertility and pregnancy loss.
How similar studies have gone: Severe iodine deficiency is known to harm fetal brain development, but studies on mild deficiency and effects on fertility and pregnancy are limited and hampered by poor measurement methods.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hinkle, Stefanie Nicole — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Hinkle, Stefanie Nicole
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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.