FAB:MOM (Fueling all beginnings: Maternal outcomes and milestones)
Nutritional supplementation during pregnancy and measurements of intergenerational health. FAB:MOM is a randomized controlled trial in development phase. This study will test targeted nutritional supplementation during the second trimester of pregnancy. The study is grounded in evidence that maternal nutrition plays a crucial role in shaping fetal development, including neurodevelopment outcomes, maternal mental health, and long-term outcomes for parent and child.
Key Outcomes
Nutrition during pregnancy is clearly linked to child neurodevelopment outcomes. This study will determine if nutritional supplementation 1) has an impact on maternal blood-based biomarkers of nutrition, and 2) whether these nutrients impact neurodevelopment of the fetus and infant. Using MRI during pregnancy and after birth, we will image the fetus and infant brain to better understand the impact of nutritional adequacy.
Optimizing Biology
This study seeks to understand whether there are benefits to optimizing biology halfway through pregnancy. Current recommendations include taking prenatal supplementation before pregnancy, but half of all pregnancies are unplanned in the United States. There is a critical need to understand whether supplementation is effective and helpful, even if taken later in pregnancy.
Strengths-Based
FAB:MOM reflects a strengths-based, biologically informed approach to maternal health. Rather than focusing on deficits or moralized behavior, the study is designed around the principle that supporting biological systems during pregnancy can promote resilience, recovery, and long-term wellbeing.