Understanding a Bleeding Disorder in Newborns Caused by Mother's Antibodies
Official title: The Immunobiology of Fetal/Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia
Funded at Versiti Blood Health, INC. · NIH-11158643 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores why some babies develop a severe bleeding disorder called FNAIT, where a mother's antibodies reduce her baby's platelets.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Versiti Blood Health, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $618,750 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL167668-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11158643 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant for pregnant mothers and their babies who are at risk for or affected by Fetal/Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (FNAIT).
✕Less likely to help
Patients not affected by Fetal/Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Fetal/Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) occurs when a mother's antibodies cross the placenta and remove her baby's platelets, leading to a bleeding disorder. While often mild, 10-20% of severe cases can cause major organ bleeds, such as intracranial hemorrhage, which may result in irreversible brain damage or death. This project aims to understand how specific types of maternal antibodies, particularly those against HPA-1a, contribute to the severity of FNAIT. Researchers will use a preclinical animal model to investigate if certain antibody subpopulations directly cause severe bleeding by affecting platelets and blood vessel cells. The ultimate goal is to uncover the mechanisms behind severe FNAIT outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to predict which babies are at highest risk for severe bleeding and help develop better treatments to prevent serious complications like brain damage.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that different types of maternal antibodies are linked to the severity of FNAIT, but how they cause severe bleeding is not yet understood.
Where this research is happening
-
Versiti Blood Health, INC.
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Newman, Peter J — Versiti Blood Health, INC.
- Study coordinator: Newman, Peter J
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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.