Understanding the effects of opioid exposure during pregnancy on child development

HEAL Initiative: Antenatal Opioid Exposure Longitudinal Study Consortium

NIH-funded research Research Triangle Institute · NIH-11001637

This study is looking at how using opioids during pregnancy might impact the health and development of babies, by following both babies who were exposed to opioids before birth and those who weren't, to see how they grow and develop over the first two years of life.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionResearch Triangle Institute NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States)
Project IDNIH-11001637 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how maternal opioid use during pregnancy affects the health and development of children. It involves a longitudinal study that follows infants exposed to opioids in utero and compares their outcomes to those of unexposed infants. The study aims to assess brain structure, connectivity, and various medical and behavioral outcomes over the first two years of life. Additionally, it explores how factors like the home environment and maternal mental health influence these developmental trajectories.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants who were exposed to opioids in utero and their families.

Not a fit: Patients who were not exposed to opioids during pregnancy are unlikely to benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for children affected by prenatal opioid exposure.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the impacts of prenatal substance exposure, making this study a continuation of important work in this area.

Where this research is happening

Research Triangle Park, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.