Iron deficiency during pregnancy affects brain development in the fetus
Official title: Gestational Iron Deficiency disrupts neural patterning in the embryo
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-10436873 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how not getting enough iron during pregnancy might affect your baby's brain development, with the goal of finding ways to help improve brain health in children later on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $377,367 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD094563-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10436873 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who are at risk of iron deficiency or have been diagnosed with low iron levels.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those with adequate iron levels are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how low iron levels during pregnancy can disrupt the development of the brain in the fetus. It focuses on understanding the specific molecular mechanisms that are affected by gestational iron deficiency (GID), particularly how it alters signaling pathways critical for brain cell development. By examining the impact of GID on lipid homeostasis and Shh signaling in the embryonic brain, the study aims to uncover the long-term consequences of iron deficiency on cognitive function in children. The findings could lead to better understanding and potential interventions for improving brain health in offspring.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing cognitive impairments in children born to mothers with iron deficiency during pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a strong association between gestational iron deficiency and cognitive impairments, suggesting that this area of investigation is both relevant and necessary.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mayer-Proschel, Margot — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Mayer-Proschel, Margot
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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.