Maternal and Child Health
PI USA: Dr. Jeroan Allison, Dr. Tiffany M. Simas, Dr. Nancy Byatt
PI India: Dr. Somashekhar Nimbalkar, Dr. Nitin Raithatha, Dr. Anusha Prabhakaran, Dr. Jagdish Verma
Trainee: Dr. Apurv Soni, Dr. Nisha Fahey, Dr. Hayley Newman, Dr. Michaela Tracy, Dr. Jasmine Khubchandani, Dr. Niket Patel
Objective:
To understand perinatal trajectories of mothers and children and identify predictors using a prospective cohort study.
Background:
Trainee-leaders initiated and implemented this multidisciplinary study with support from pediatricians, gynecologists, psychiatrists, psychosocial experts, and health services researchers from both UMMS and CAM. The study received $50,000 in funding through a UMMS OGH pilot grant and in-kind logistical support from CAM.
Outcomes:
- Established a model for trainee-led global health research under RAHI-SATHI
- Created a platform for introducing and mentoring new trainees
- Enabled collaborative research on pregnancy, childbirth, and early childhood
- Contributed data on nutrition, access to care, maternal mental health, and long-term child development
Publications:
- Soni A, Allison J. Identification of infants at risk of child undernutrition in India: building a predictive algorithm with data from a nationally representative survey. Lancet Glob Health. 2019;7:S24.
- Soni A, Fahey N, Ash A, et al. Predictive algorithm to stratify newborns at-risk for child undernutrition in India: Secondary analysis of the National Family Health Survey-4. J Glob Health. 2022;12:04040. doi:10.7189/jogh.12.04040.
- Soni A, Fahey N, Bhutta Z, et al. Association of trends in child undernutrition and implementation of the National Rural Health Mission in India: A nationally representative serial cross-sectional study. PLoS Med. 2022;19(4):e1003957.
- Soni A, Fahey N, Bhutta Z, et al. Early childhood undernutrition, preadolescent physical growth, and cognitive achievement in India: A population-based cohort study. PLOS Med. 2021;18(10):e1003838.