Understanding how opioid use during pregnancy affects newborn health outcomes
Official title: Predicting neonatal health outcomes from placental and fetal brain extracellular vesicles in pregnant opioid users
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10747661 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being exposed to opioids during pregnancy might affect newborns, and it aims to find ways to predict which babies might experience withdrawal symptoms after birth, so that they can get the right care they need.
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 | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $2,267,819 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD113032-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10747661 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals who are using opioids and are at risk of having infants exposed to these substances.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who have not used opioids during pregnancy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of opioid exposure during pregnancy on newborns, specifically focusing on predicting which infants may develop neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). By analyzing extracellular vesicles from the placenta and fetal brain, the study aims to identify biomarkers that can help determine the risk of NOWS in infants. This approach seeks to improve personalized care for newborns by identifying those who may require treatment based on their exposure to opioids during gestation. The research will utilize maternal blood samples to isolate these vesicles and assess their potential in predicting health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prediction and management of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, improving health outcomes for affected infants.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using biomarkers to predict health outcomes in similar contexts, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vojtech, Lucia N — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Vojtech, Lucia N
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.