Support for low-income mothers of preterm infants in the NICU

Effect of support for low-income mothers of preterm infants on parental caregiving in the NICU

NIH-funded research Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-10894017

This study is looking at whether giving financial help to low-income moms with preterm babies in the NICU can make it easier for them to care for their little ones and feel better overall, and it will compare this approach to regular care with 420 moms participating.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Worcester, United States)
Project IDNIH-10894017 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how providing financial support to low-income mothers of preterm infants can improve their ability to engage in caregiving while their babies are in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The study will compare the effects of financial transfers against standard care in a randomized control trial involving 420 mothers. By alleviating financial burdens, the research aims to enhance maternal presence, participation in infant care, and overall mental health, which are crucial for the development of preterm infants.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are low-income mothers with infants born between 25-33 weeks of gestation who are currently hospitalized in a NICU.

Not a fit: Patients who do not meet the income criteria or have infants outside the specified gestational age range may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for preterm infants by enabling more mothers to participate in essential caregiving activities.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that financial support can positively impact maternal engagement and infant health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Where this research is happening

Worcester, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.