Understanding how malaria affects the placenta during pregnancy
Official title: Molecular and cellular underpinnings of placental malaria
Funded at Mount Kenya University · NIH-10979204 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how malaria affects the placenta in pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to find better ways to diagnose and treat complications that can arise for both mothers and babies, even if the mothers don’t feel sick.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mount Kenya University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Thika, Kenya) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $111,024 |
| NIH project number | 1K43TW012799-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10979204 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly those at risk of malaria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those living outside of sub-Saharan Africa may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of malaria on the placenta in pregnant women, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where malaria poses significant risks to mothers and infants. It focuses on how infected blood cells can accumulate in the placenta, leading to serious complications such as fetal growth restriction and stillbirths, even when mothers show no symptoms of malaria. The study aims to develop better diagnostic tools and interventions to address these issues, which are currently poorly understood due to the inaccessibility of the placenta during pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved detection and treatment strategies for placental malaria, ultimately reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes for mothers and infants.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on malaria in pregnancy, this study addresses a critical gap in understanding placental malaria, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Mount Kenya University
Thika, Kenya Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kobia, Francis Mungathia — Mount Kenya University
- Study coordinator: Kobia, Francis Mungathia
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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.