Understanding How Opioid Exposure Before Birth Affects Babies
UAB Outcomes of Babies with Opioid Exposure (OBOE study)
This project helps us learn how babies exposed to opioids before birth develop, focusing on their brain and overall growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145033 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project follows babies from birth to age two, some of whom were exposed to opioids before they were born, and some who were not. Researchers collect detailed information about their early development, including brain scans and information about their home environment and their mother's well-being. The goal is to understand how prenatal opioid exposure might affect brain structure, connections, and overall neurodevelopment during these crucial first two years of life. By comparing these groups, we hope to learn more about the long-term effects and how to best support these children.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This study focuses on infants who were either exposed to opioids before birth or were not, and are being followed from birth up to two years of age.
Not a fit: Patients beyond the age of two or those not born during the study's enrollment period would not directly benefit from participation in this specific follow-up phase.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better ways to identify, support, and care for children who were exposed to opioids before birth.
How similar studies have performed: This is an ongoing longitudinal study that has already enrolled infants and published preliminary findings, building on existing knowledge in this area.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ambalavanan, Namasivayam — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Ambalavanan, Namasivayam
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 below.