Vitamin C in Pregnancy to Protect Kids’ Lungs from Smoking Effects
Official title: Vitamin C to Decrease Effects of Smoking during Pregnancy on Offspring Airway Function, Airway Size, and Epigenetic Correlates: VCSIP cohort follow-up through 10 Years of Age
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11394272 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pregnancy vitamin C trial tests whether supplementing smoking mothers with vitamin C can improve kids’ lung function and reduce wheeze as they grow.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,727,151 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL162951-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394272 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged up to 10 years whose mothers were part of the prior Vitamin C trial during pregnancy and who have ongoing follow-up.
✕Less likely to help
Children whose mothers did not receive vitamin C or who have unrelated respiratory conditions may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project follows children whose mothers participated in an earlier trial where vitamin C was given to pregnant smokers. It looks at lung function and airway size up to 10 years of age, with long-term follow-up to understand how early nutrition and exposure affect respiratory health. The study uses lung function tests, clinical assessments, and analyses of airway and epigenetic changes, while keeping participants blinded to treatment. The goal is to see if early vitamin C exposure translates into healthier airways and fewer respiratory symptoms as children age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide dietary recommendations for pregnant smokers to help their children breathe better throughout childhood.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier results showed improved airway function and reduced wheeze in infancy and early childhood from vitamin C exposure in utero, suggesting potential long-term benefits.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcevoy, Cynthia T — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Mcevoy, Cynthia T
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Vitamin C and Smoking in Pregnancy: long-term lung health and airway changes in children
This grant follows children and families over many years to understand how maternal smoking and vitamin C during pregnancy affect a child’s lungs and airway health, including epigenetic changes.
-
Following up on vitamin C and smoking in pregnancy to understand children's lung health
This project continues to follow children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy, and some who also took vitamin C, to understand how these factors affect their lung health over time.
-
Pregnancy vitamin C to protect children's airway health
Pregnant people who smoke take vitamin C to help their babies keep stronger lungs through childhood.
-
Understanding how delay discounting affects smoking during pregnancy
This study is looking at why some pregnant women find it hard to quit smoking even though they really want to, and it’s using a mobile app to help understand their choices better so that we can create better ways to support them in stopping smoking for the health of both mom and baby.
-
A mobile app to help pregnant women in Romania quit smoking with peer support
This study is testing a helpful mobile app for pregnant women in Romania who want to quit smoking, offering personalized support and a way to involve a friend or family member in their journey to stay smoke-free during and after pregnancy.
-
How air pollution during pregnancy affects fetal growth over time
This study looks at how air pollution affects the growth of babies in the womb during pregnancy, using ultrasound images to track changes over time, and it aims to help expectant parents understand when their babies might be most at risk from pollution.
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.