Prenatal omega‑3 (DHA) supplements to lower childhood asthma and allergies in Black families
Prenatal Fatty Acid Supplementation and Early Childhood Asthma and Atopy in Black American Families
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · NIH-11247069
Giving pregnant Black women an omega‑3 (DHA) supplement to try to reduce asthma and allergic problems in their young children.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11247069 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a parent's view, this work follows mothers who took a daily DHA supplement during pregnancy and tracks their children for signs of wheeze, asthma diagnoses, and allergic conditions in early childhood. Researchers compare outcomes between the mothers who received DHA and those who did not, and they look at measures of prenatal stress and early development that could explain differences. The project builds on the Nutrition and Pregnancy Study (NAPS), a double‑blind randomized setup, and includes follow‑up visits and health records to document breathing and allergy outcomes in the children. The goal is to see whether the prenatal supplement leads to fewer asthma attacks, fewer allergy diagnoses, or milder symptoms in children.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The work is aimed at Black pregnant women (especially those in low‑resource urban communities) and their young children who can be followed after birth for asthma and allergy outcomes.
Not a fit: People who were not exposed to prenatal DHA, older children or adults, or those whose asthma is driven by non‑allergic causes may not see benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, taking DHA during pregnancy could lower the chance that a child develops asthma or allergic conditions in early childhood.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies and some observational human studies suggest omega‑3s may protect against asthma, but randomized trials in humans have produced mixed or modest results so far.
Where this research is happening
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO — CHICAGO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KEENAN, KATHRYN ELIZABETH — UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- Study coordinator: KEENAN, KATHRYN ELIZABETH
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 below.
Conditions: Allergic Disease