Eating more eggs during pregnancy to support fetal brain development
Maternal Intake of Eggs and Infant Neurodevelopment
This test will see if pregnant women who eat 10–14 eggs per week have better fetal brain development than those who follow a general healthy prenatal diet.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University of Kansas Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Kansas City, Kansas) |
| Trial ID | NCT07583186 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Pregnant women between 12 and 20 weeks' gestation who typically eat three or fewer eggs per week will be randomized to an egg-focused prenatal diet (encouraged 10–14 eggs weekly) or to a healthy prenatal diet education control. The egg group receives education about choline and other egg nutrients and support to increase egg consumption through delivery, while the control group receives general prenatal diet education. Investigators will monitor maternal nutrient intake and measure fetal neurodevelopment outcomes late in pregnancy to compare groups. The intervention targets increased intake of choline, lutein, zeaxanthin, and related nutrients found in egg yolks that are important for fetal brain development.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Pregnant women aged 18 or older with a singleton pregnancy between 12 and 20 weeks' gestation who currently eat three or fewer eggs per week and are willing to increase egg consumption through delivery are eligible.
Not a fit: Women with egg allergy, multiple gestation, serious illnesses likely to confound outcomes, or those already consuming more than three eggs per week are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a simple, affordable dietary approach to increase key prenatal nutrients and potentially improve fetal brain development.
How similar studies have performed: Observational studies have linked higher maternal egg and neuroprotective nutrient intake with better fetal neurodevelopment, but randomized trials of prenatal egg supplementation are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant females ≥18 years of age * 12 to 20-weeks' gestation at enrollment * No serious illnesses likely to confound study outcomes * Consuming 3 eggs/week or less at enrollment and willing to increase consumption during the study * Singleton gestation * Available by telephone and text Exclusion Criteria: * Less than 18 years at enrollment * Gestational age at enrollment \<12 or \>20 weeks * Any serious illness likely to confound study outcomes * Consuming more than 3 eggs per week at enrollment * Unable/unwilling to consume eggs until delivery or egg allergy * Expecting multiple infants * No access to telephone or text
Where this trial is running
Kansas City, Kansas
- The University of Kansas Medical Center — Kansas City, Kansas, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Danielle Christifano, PhD — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Nicole Mathis, MS
- Email: nmathis@kumc.edu
- Phone: 913-588-1906
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.