Infant health research

• Goal: to prevent infant and childhood health problems.
• We’re studying the effects of maternal health issues.
• Research grants fund the development of new treatments.

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Medical research supported by the March of Dimes is helping improve babies’ chances of being born healthy and staying healthy. Major accomplishments include the development of certain newborn screening tests. Grantees developed the first screens for inborn errors of body chemistry including phenylketonuria (PKU), biotinidase deficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia and hyperthyroidism. Today, more than 96 percent of all babies born in America are screened for at least 26 disorders that, without prompt treatment, can result in serious health problems, brain damage or even death.

Maternal health issues

Recipients of research grants also conduct studies on maternal health conditions (such as diabetes and obesity), infections and pregnancy complications that can contribute to a wide range of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including premature birth, reduced birthweight, birth defects, newborn death and various newborn illnesses and childhood health problems. For example, treatments are currently being sought by grantees to prevent mothers from passing dangerous infections, such as toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, and herpes on to their babies during pregnancy or delivery.

Keeping childhood infections at bay

Researchers are also working to improve the treatment of common childhood infections, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), that can lead to serious complications in healthy children. RSV, which can cause pneumonia, is a leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States and is most risky in infants and toddlers who were born prematurely or with certain birth defects.