Periodontal health for tiny newborns: a large community trial in Nepal
Official title: Periodontal Disease and Small Vulnerable Newborns: A Cluster Randomized Trial
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11413832 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large trial in Nepal will test a simple, low-cost oral care package started in early pregnancy to see if it can reduce deaths and health problems in very small or preterm babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $555,120 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD119055-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413832 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals in Nepal’s Terai region, particularly those in the first trimester, and their newborns who are at risk for SVN.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnant people who cannot provide informed consent or do not plan to receive antenatal care in the study area may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will enroll pregnant people in Nepal’s Terai region and start a basic antiseptic oral care routine in the first trimester. The team will follow mothers and their newborns through delivery and early infancy to see if the intervention lowers risks like preterm birth, low birth weight, and complications in small babies. The approach uses a low-cost antiseptic rinse and standard oral care to minimize gingival inflammation and potential pathways linking periodontal health to newborn outcomes. The study design is cluster-randomized and aims to produce robust evidence that can inform scalable, real-world implementation. Participation areas will include regular follow-up visits and simple data collection to track infant health and survival.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could reduce newborn deaths and improve health outcomes for small vulnerable newborns.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trials have shown mixed results; this study seeks to address past methodological issues and timing to determine effectiveness.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Erchick, Daniel Joseph — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Erchick, Daniel Joseph
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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.