Maternal Intake of Eggs and Infant Neurodevelopment

Part of paid clinical trials in Kansas City, Kansas.

Sponsor
University of Kansas Medical Center
Study ID
NCT07583186
Status
Recruiting
Apply to this trial

Conditions

  • Pregnancy Related

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
FEMALE
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Egg Supplementation — DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT
    Encouraged to consume 10-14 eggs per week.
  • Healthy Prenatal Diet — DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT
    Educated on standard healthy prenatal diet and encouraged to follow recommendations.

Study Details

The fetal brain requires DHA, choline, lutein, and zeaxanthin (L/Z) for development, dependent on maternal intake during pregnancy. However, many pregnant women do not meet daily requirements through diet or prenatal vitamins. Egg yolks are rich in choline, and women who consume eggs daily are more likely to meet the adequate intake of 450 mg/day. A recent study by Christifano et al. found that maternal egg and neuroprotective nutrient intake predicted neurodevelopment at 32 and 36 weeks of gestation. This study aims to determine if fetal neurodevelopment is enhanced among women who consume a prenatal diet emphasizing egg consumption (EGG) versus a healthy prenatal diet education control group (HPD). Women between 12-20 weeks' gestation will be randomized into EGG and HPD groups. The EGG group will receive education on the importance of prenatal choline and egg consumption and be encouraged to consume 10-14 eggs per week. The HPD group will receive education on a healthy prenatal diet. Both groups will be encouraged to take a DHA supplement, and dietary intake of choline, L/Z, and DHA will be collected. Fetal heart rate variability will be measured at 36 weeks gestation and infant EEGs will be conducted postnatally to examine brain function. Increasing prenatal egg consumption is both economical and feasible to boost prenatal choline intake, promote offspring neurodevelopment, and guide prenatal dietary recommendations.

Key Dates

Start date
Jan 1, 2026
Status verified
Oct 2025
Primary completion
Jun 30, 2028
Completion
Jun 30, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
100 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER

Arms

  • Experimental: EGG Group
    The EGG group will receive education on the importance of prenatal choline and egg consumption and be encouraged to consume 10-14 eggs per week.
  • Placebo Comparator: HPD Group
    The HPD group will receive education on a healthy prenatal diet

Primary Outcome Measure

Fetal neurodevelopment as indexed by heart rate variability (HRV) [ Time Frame: 36 weeks gestational age ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
The University of Kansas Medical CenterKansas CityKansas66160
Nicole Mathis, MS
913-588-1906
Lara Bennett, MS
913-945-9149
Danielle Christifano, PhD (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)
Alexandra Brown, PhD (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)
Ke Liao, PhD (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)

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By research site
The University of Kansas Medical Center· Kansas City, KS

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