NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding how pregnancy affects metabolism and fetal nutrition.

Official title: Characterizing metabolic variability during pregnancy to understand pathways of in-utero overnutrition: an integrative analysis of metabolomics and lifestyle data

Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-10930702 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study looks at how changes in a pregnant woman's metabolism can affect her baby's nutrition, especially if she has obesity or gestational diabetes, and it aims to understand how these factors impact the baby's health.

More Pregnancy research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES)
Project startSeptember 15, 2023
Project endJune 30, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$246,469
NIH project number5R00HD108272-04
Project IDNIH-10930702 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women, particularly those with obesity or gestational diabetes.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not pregnant or those without metabolic conditions such as obesity or gestational diabetes may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how metabolic changes during pregnancy can lead to either undernutrition or overnutrition of the fetus, particularly in cases of obesity and gestational diabetes. By analyzing metabolic data and lifestyle factors from pregnant women, the study aims to uncover how these variables influence the health of their offspring. The research employs advanced statistical methods to explore the relationship between maternal metabolism and fetal development, focusing on the role of the placenta in this process.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing obesity and cardiometabolic diseases in children by understanding maternal influences during pregnancy.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding maternal-fetal health connections, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.

Where this research is happening

  • Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
    Newark, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Francis, Ellen Cross — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
  • Study coordinator: Francis, Ellen Cross

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.