Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection and its effects on placenta and child development
Official title: Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection, placenta biology, and neurodevelopmental outcomes in the offspring
Funded at Lieber Institute, INC. · NIH-11402254 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how COVID-19 infection during pregnancy might change the placenta and influence a child’s brain development, especially in kids who may be at higher genetic risk for ADHD/ASD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lieber Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,460,609 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD107140-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11402254 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant people who had SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and their offspring, with follow-up into early childhood.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnant individuals without SARS-CoV-2 infection or children without neurodevelopmental risk factors may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
The project follows infants born to mothers who had SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy to understand how placenta biology and early brain development relate to later neurodevelopment. It will examine interactions between maternal infection, placenta changes, genetic risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders, and the child’s sex. By linking pregnancy and newborn biology with later developmental outcomes, it aims to identify key targets for preventing neurodevelopmental issues. The research combines placental biology, genomics, and longitudinal follow-up of affected children. This work could inform care strategies for pregnancies affected by COVID-19 and guide early interventions for at-risk children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier identification and prevention strategies for neurodevelopmental issues in children exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in utero.
How similar studies have gone: Early data suggest placental changes from infection, but direct links to child neurodevelopment are still being explored; this study advances the evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Lieber Institute, INC.
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ursini, Gianluca — Lieber Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Ursini, Gianluca
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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.