# Association between adverse maternal factors and neurodevelopmental outcomes among children in Kenya

> **NIH NIH F32** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2024 · $76,108

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
More than half of Kenyan children under 5 years (~4 million Kenyan children) will not reach their developmental
potential, a pathway partly determined by modifiable maternal risk factors such as stress, infection, and
inadequate nutrition in pregnancy and lactation. Maternal factors such as older age, anemia, poor nutrition, HIV
infection and depression have been associated with adverse effects on child neurodevelopment, although the
quality and strength of the evidence varies. Data on the relationship between maternal factors and human milk
oligosaccharides (HMOs), one of the most abundant bioactive molecules in human milk, are all from high-income
settings, where the composition of HMOs differs by maternal age, nutritional status, depression, and HIV
infection. Limited data exists on the influence of HMOs on child neurodevelopment, including in Sub-Saharan
Africa. HMOs and maternal factors may act independenly to influence child neurodevelopment. It is plausible
that the maternal factors may impact HMO profiles, and, in turn, influence child neurodevelopment. The
proposed F32 research project leverages data from an ongoing cohort ongoing cohort of Kenyan mother-infant
pairs (N=350) (Tunza Mwana R01HD096999; 1P01HD107669-01) followed up for 2 years from birth to evaluate
the association between maternal HIV infection, milk composition, and the infant gut microbiome, and
characterize infant growth and neurodevelopment at 24 months of age. In Aim 1, we will determine how adverse
maternal factors in pregnancy (older age, depressive symptoms, anemia, HIV infection, and nutritional status)
affect HMO composition at 6 weeks postpartum. In Aim 2, we will determine the association between adverse
maternal factors in pregnancy and child neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of age. Finally, in Aim 3, we
will assess if HMOs mediate the relationship between adverse maternal factors in pregnancy and child
neurodevelopment at 2 years of age. This project will provide new insights on modifiable maternal factors and
child neurodevelopment in Sub-Saharan Africa region, and inform ways to prevent or reverse the
neurodevelopmental consequences of adverse maternal environment by highlighting the potential mechanisms
of neurodevelopmental impairment. The research plan will provide the F32 candidate rigorous postdoctoral
training including training in 1) child neurodevelopmental assessment and research 3) content area expertise in
breastmilk research 3) advanced statistical methods of epidemiologic research 4) strengthen publication record
and communication skills.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10995170
- **Project number:** 1F32HD116460-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Ruchi Tiwari
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $76,108
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-16 → 2026-09-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10995170

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10995170, Association between adverse maternal factors and neurodevelopmental outcomes among children in Kenya (1F32HD116460-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10995170. Licensed CC0.

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