Newborn Iron Deficiency and its Long-Term Brain Effects
Official title: Newborn Iron Deficiency
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11324638 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study exploring how iron deficiency in early life can affect a child’s brain development and long-term cognitive and emotional health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 13, 2018 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $570,468 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD094809-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11324638 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Newborns, infants, or pregnant women at risk of iron deficiency, and children with a history of early iron deficiency.
✕Less likely to help
If iron deficiency is not a factor in a child’s development or if the condition is already corrected early, direct benefit may be limited.
What this research studies
This project looks at how iron deficiency in fetuses and newborns may disrupt brain development, potentially leading to lasting learning and memory problems. It uses animal data to understand the cellular and mitochondrial changes that occur when iron is scarce during development, and how these changes persist even after iron levels are normalized. The goal is to translate these findings toward preventing neurodevelopmental issues in children who experience iron deficiency early in life. Researchers from the University of Minnesota are coordinating this work to uncover mechanisms and potential intervention points.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Improved strategies to prevent or mitigate cognitive and neuropsychiatric impacts of early-life iron deficiency.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal studies show iron deficiency can cause lasting brain changes; translating to humans is ongoing and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Georgieff, Michael K. — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Georgieff, Michael K.
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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.