The effects of wildfires on infant health
Official title: Wildfires and Infant Health
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11001574 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how smoke from wildfires, which are happening more often because of climate change, might affect the health of babies, especially things like their weight at birth and how long they stay in the womb.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $580,756 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES033963-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001574 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include infants and pregnant individuals living in areas affected by wildfires.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who live in regions not impacted by wildfires or those who are not in the prenatal or infant age group may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how wildfires, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change, affect the health of infants. It focuses on the air pollutants produced by wildfires and their potential impact on birth outcomes, such as birth weight and gestational age. By analyzing data from various sources, including satellite observations and hospital records, the study aims to understand the patterns of exposure and health outcomes in infants during and after wildfire events. The research will provide insights into the risks associated with air pollution from wildfires, particularly for vulnerable populations like infants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved public health strategies to protect infants from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that air pollution from various sources can adversely affect health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boudreaux, Michel H — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Boudreaux, Michel H
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.