Prenatal phthalates and newborn telomere health
Impact of Phthalate Exposure on Telomere Biology in Utero
Researchers will look at whether pregnant people’s exposure to common phthalate chemicals is linked to shorter telomeres in the placenta, newborns, and children up to age 8.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11264834 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project measures phthalate levels during pregnancy and then looks at telomere length and related molecular markers in the placenta and umbilical cord blood. Lab tests will include Southern blotting and TeSLA to measure telomere lengths, plus tests of telomerase activity, hTERT expression, DNA damage at telomeres, and cellular senescence markers in the placenta. The team will also compare telomere measurements from cord blood to follow-up blood drawn at about age 8 to see if any change seen at birth lasts through childhood. Findings aim to connect prenatal chemical exposures with early-life telomere biology and explain possible mechanisms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be pregnant people willing to provide biological samples during delivery (placenta and cord blood) and to allow a follow-up blood draw for the child at around age 8.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant, cannot provide placental or cord-blood samples, or cannot commit to long-term follow-up are unlikely to participate or receive direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If confirmed, the work could point to prenatal exposures that alter lifelong telomere trajectories and suggest ways to reduce exposure and long-term disease risk.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies have linked environmental exposures with shorter telomeres, but linking prenatal phthalate exposure to newborn and childhood telomere changes is relatively new and not yet established.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cowell, Whitney — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Cowell, Whitney
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.