Understanding and preventing stillbirth through precision medicine
Official title: Precision medicine approaches to understand and prevent stillbirth
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11101719 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why stillbirth happens and how we can prevent it, especially for groups that are more affected, like non-Hispanic Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Pacific Islander families, and it involves patients in tests to help us learn more about their specific risks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $661,258 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD117802-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11101719 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant individuals, particularly those from populations with higher stillbirth rates, such as non-Hispanic Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Pacific Islander individuals.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently pregnant or those who do not belong to the higher-risk populations may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the causes and prevention of stillbirth, which affects 1 in 160 pregnancies in the U.S. The study focuses on understanding the disparities in stillbirth rates among different populations, particularly non-Hispanic Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Pacific Islander individuals. By utilizing advanced non-invasive technologies and a multi-disciplinary approach, the research aims to identify the underlying mechanisms of placental dysfunction and improve preventative measures. Patients will be involved in a comprehensive evaluation that includes placental pathology, fetal autopsy, and genetic testing to better understand their individual risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing stillbirth and better outcomes for at-risk pregnancies.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using precision medicine approaches to address pregnancy-related outcomes, but this specific focus on stillbirth prevention is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gray, Kathryn Johnson — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Gray, Kathryn Johnson
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Stillbirth Data Hub: Coordinating Center for Big-Data and AI in Stillbirth Research
A national data hub is being built to coordinate data, biorepository, and analytics for stillbirth research using advanced AI and machine learning.
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Genetic roots of stillbirth and developmental disorders
A genetic study from Massachusetts General Hospital will look for inherited and new DNA changes that contribute to stillbirth and related developmental disorders in families.
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Innovative Data Core for Stillbirth Research Center
A data and software core is being built to harmonize and analyze information from multiple sites to uncover why stillbirth happens and to support future prevention.
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Administrative Core for Stillbirth Research Coordinating Center
A coordination core is being funded to organize and manage data, collaborations, and administration to help stillbirth research move forward.
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Stillbirth Data Coordinating Center focusing on AI-powered insights
A national data hub is using advanced AI and machine learning to analyze stillbirth data and help researchers find patterns that could prevent or understand stillbirth.
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NOURISH: nutrition and health factors linked to pregnancy outcomes and stillbirth risk
Aimed at understanding how nutrition and stress-related health factors affect placental function to prevent stillbirths in pregnancies.
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.