Understanding how influenza affects pregnant women
Official title: Influenza pathogenesis in pregnancy
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11112294 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the flu virus affects pregnant women and their babies, aiming to understand why some women and pregnancies have serious problems, so we can create better vaccines to keep them safe.
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 | June 14, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $833,919 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI164588-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11112294 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who are at risk of influenza infection and its complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who have already been vaccinated against influenza may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the influenza A virus impacts pregnant women, focusing on the immune responses of both the mother and the placenta. By using a nonhuman primate model, the study aims to identify the factors that lead to severe outcomes such as maternal death and stillbirth. The researchers will explore the role of specific immune cells and cytokines in the response to the virus, which could help in developing effective vaccines for pregnant women. The findings may provide insights into how to better protect this vulnerable population from influenza.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of universal influenza vaccines specifically designed for pregnant women, improving maternal and fetal health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using animal models to study viral infections, but this specific approach focusing on pregnant women is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adams Waldorf, Kristina M. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Adams Waldorf, Kristina M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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This study looks at how getting the flu during pregnancy might change the good bacteria in a mom's gut and how that could affect her baby's growth and health.
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Understanding how influenza virus affects pregnancy and fetal health
This study is looking at how infections like the flu can affect the health of unborn babies during pregnancy, and it aims to find ways to help protect both moms and their babies from these harmful effects.
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How air pollution during pregnancy affects fetal growth over time
This study looks at how air pollution affects the growth of babies in the womb during pregnancy, using ultrasound images to track changes over time, and it aims to help expectant parents understand when their babies might be most at risk from pollution.
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Creating vaccines for influenza and other infectious diseases
This study is all about creating new vaccines to help protect people from the flu and other infections, so patients can look forward to better options for staying healthy.
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.