Understanding how exposure to certain chemicals during pregnancy affects placental function and birth timing
Official title: Assessing how Prenatal Phthalate Exposure Disrupts Placental Transcriptional Regulation and Contributes to Changes in Gestational Length
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-11210358 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how exposure to certain chemicals during pregnancy might affect the placenta and could lead to early births, with the goal of finding ways to improve pregnancy outcomes for moms and babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | January 11, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $101,793 |
| NIH project number | 3R01ES033785-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11210358 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals who have been exposed to phthalates and are at risk for spontaneous preterm birth.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who have not been exposed to phthalates may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of prenatal exposure to phthalates, which are common chemicals found in many products, on the placenta's ability to regulate gene expression. By analyzing a large dataset of placental samples, the study aims to identify molecular signatures that link these chemical exposures to spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). The research will also explore the role of microRNAs as potential biomarkers that could indicate risks associated with environmental exposures during pregnancy. Ultimately, the findings could help identify modifiable risk factors and inform clinical interventions to improve pregnancy outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention of preterm births, improving health outcomes for newborns.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown a consistent link between prenatal chemical exposure and adverse birth outcomes, suggesting that this approach has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Paquette, Alison Genevieve — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Paquette, Alison Genevieve
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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.