Understanding bone health in individuals who were born prematurely

Establishing a New Model of Bone Health in Formerly Premature Individuals

NIH-funded research Rush University Medical Center · NIH-10647677

This study is looking at how being born early affects bone health as people grow up, using pigs to help understand bone loss and find ways to keep bones strong.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRush University Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-10647677 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to create a new model to study bone health in individuals who were born prematurely. It focuses on understanding how preterm birth affects bone development and fragility as these individuals grow older. By using a pig model, the researchers will investigate the mechanisms behind bone loss and explore potential interventions to improve bone health. The study will involve advanced imaging techniques to assess bone mass and structure over time.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 12-20 who were born prematurely and may be experiencing bone health issues.

Not a fit: Patients who were not born prematurely or who are outside the age range of 12-20 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for enhancing bone health in individuals who were born prematurely.

How similar studies have performed: While there is existing research on bone health in preterm infants, this specific approach using a novel preclinical model is relatively new and untested.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, 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.