# Effects of maternal thyroid function and thyroidal disruptor exposure on pregnancy and child developmental outcomes

> **NIH NIH K23** · BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $206,286

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Thyroid hormone is essential for normal fetal development. Iodine is an essential micronutrient for thyroid
hormone production. Maternal hypothyroidism, affecting 2-3% of pregnant women in the U.S., is associated
with adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes and offspring neurodevelopment. Iodine deficiency is the leading
cause of maternal hypothyroidism worldwide. Although the general population of the U.S. is deemed iodine
sufficient, U.S. pregnant women currently have mild iodine deficiency. Exposure to thyroidal disrupting
chemicals that interfere with iodine utilization, such as perchlorate and thiocyanate, is of particular concern in
vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and their offspring. The proposed studies aim to 1) assess
correlations between maternal perchlorate or thiocyanate exposure or iodine status in pregnancy and maternal
and newborn thyroid function, 2) conduct a pilot study of associations between maternal exposure to thyroidal
disrupting chemicals and iodine status and adverse pregnancy outcomes, and 3) determine associations
between maternal thyroid hypofunction and offspring risk of language disorder, a neurodevelopmental disorder
with suggested associations with thyroid dysfunction. These findings will have important implications for
recommendations for adequate iodine nutrition and for avoidance of exposure to EDC in pregnancy, potentially
modifiable risk factors for adverse pregnancy and developmental outcomes. The candidate is an Assistant
Professor of Medicine in the section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition at Boston University School of
Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. Her short-term goal is to develop skills in epidemiological studies focusing
on reproductive outcomes, environmental epidemiology, and associations between maternal thyroid health and
offspring neurodevelopmental outcomes through didactic courses and attendance at national meetings. Her
long-term goal is to investigate the effects of maternal EDC exposure in pregnancy on thyroid function and
pregnancy and offspring outcomes, using the skills and findings obtained from the proposed studies as the
groundwork. The multidisciplinary mentoring team includes experts in thyroidology, iodine nutrition and
utilization, reproductive and environmental epidemiology, and pediatric neurodevelopment. Boston University
School of Medicine is a recognized leader in groundbreaking medical research. As a part of Boston University,
the fourth-largest independent university in the United States, the medical center consortium consists of the
Schools of Medicine, Public Health, Dentistry, and the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences along with
Boston Medical Center, provides a rich and diverse environment for successful execution of the proposed
studies as well as for the candidate's development into an independently funded researcher.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9969495
- **Project number:** 5K23ES028736-02
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Sun Y Lee-Marquez
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $206,286
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9969495

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9969495, Effects of maternal thyroid function and thyroidal disruptor exposure on pregnancy and child developmental outcomes (5K23ES028736-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9969495. Licensed CC0.

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