Using folic acid during pregnancy to prevent cleft palate
Official title: In utero rescue of cleft palate using maternal administration of folic acid
Funded at University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-10795114 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how giving high doses of folic acid to pregnant mice might help prevent cleft palate, a common birth condition, and aims to find the best ways to use folic acid to support healthy development in babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $193,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DE032742-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10795114 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals, particularly those with a family history of cleft palate or other craniofacial anomalies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not have a risk of cleft palate may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of high doses of folic acid administered to pregnant mice to prevent the occurrence of cleft palate, a common craniofacial anomaly. The study aims to understand how different dosages and delivery methods of folic acid can influence palatal development and potentially reduce the risk of cleft palate in offspring. By utilizing advanced 2-D and 3-D analyses, researchers will assess the timing and cellular changes during palatal shelf growth and elevation. The findings could provide insights into effective interventions for pregnant individuals to improve fetal health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved guidelines for folic acid supplementation during pregnancy, potentially reducing the incidence of cleft palate in newborns.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the effectiveness of folic acid in preventing cleft palate, making this research both relevant and necessary to clarify its potential benefits.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saadi, Irfan — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Saadi, Irfan
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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.