Using steroids before birth to help late preterm babies breathe better
Official title: The Impact of Late Preterm Steroids in Reducing Neonatal Respiratory Morbidity in the US
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11023207 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how giving antenatal steroids to pregnant women at risk of delivering their babies a bit early can help prevent breathing problems in newborns, and it aims to find out which groups of moms and babies benefit the most from this treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $667,776 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL176836-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11023207 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women at risk of delivering late preterm infants (between 34-36 weeks of gestation).
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those delivering full-term or very preterm infants may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of antenatal steroids for mothers at risk of late preterm delivery, aiming to reduce respiratory complications in newborns. It focuses on understanding which populations benefit most from these steroids and aims to generate clinical evidence to guide healthcare providers in their use. By analyzing patient and hospital factors, the study seeks to improve the consistency of steroid administration across the US, ultimately enhancing neonatal care. The research involves a large-scale randomized controlled trial to gather robust data on the effectiveness of these treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce respiratory issues in late preterm infants, leading to better health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success with antenatal steroids in reducing respiratory complications, making this approach both promising and supported by existing evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clapp, Mark Allen — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Clapp, Mark Allen
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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.