View clinical trials related to Pregnancy, High Risk.
Filter by:Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) encompass a range of mental health disorders that occur during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. Approximately 13% of women experience PMADs. This rate doubles for those with adverse perinatal outcomes (APO) and triples in Black women. Recent research points to racism as one significant source of these health disparities. Cultural adaptations to improve communication with providers decrease rates of depression in minority patients as well as improve adherence to treatment, insight and alliance. Discrimination stress and worries about experiencing medical consequences are thought to increase systemic inflammation, a mechanism known to drive mental and physical symptoms. Inflammation has been implicated in both PMADs and APO, suggesting a shared underlying etiology. Evidence from our work suggests that inflammation contributes to the pathophysiology of PMADs. The proposed pilot randomized control trial will allow the investigators to build on promising preliminary results and identify whether our culturally relevant mobile Health (mHealth) intervention is effective in improving outcomes among Black pregnant women randomized to the intervention compared to a control group. The culturally relevant modules include building communication and self-advocacy skills and provide a support network. The primary objective of this research is to provide guidance for clinical care of Black women during the perinatal period, with the goal to improve mental health and physical health outcomes. A secondary goal is to examine novel inflammatory signatures that change as a function of the intervention to reduce PMADs in this population. As inflammation may be diagnostic of PMADs, identification of its role may shed light of potential intervention targets and provide critical knowledge to improve women's long-term health. PMAD symptoms will be assessed prospectively in 150 Black pregnant women, half of whom will be randomized to receive the culturally relevant mHealth intervention. The investigators hypothesize that women in the intervention group will have reduced rates of PMADs and APOs, an increase in adherence to mental health treatment and will report increased self-advocacy skills, increased communication with providers, and reduced levels of discrimination related stress. Participants will also have improved biological risk indicators including lower circulating C-reactive protein and a transcription profile of differentially expressed inflammatory genes, marked by a decreased activity of inflammatory transcription factors from blood spots. Given the high burden of both PMADs and APOs among Black mothers and the numerous consequences on maternal and child outcomes, it is imperative that investigators develop and implement effective interventions, and test the biological mechanisms that might drive these effects. This work is interdisciplinary, building on a network of community advocates to implement a novel mHealth intervention informed by real world experiences designed to enhance self-advocacy, reduce stress and prevent adverse outcomes
Little is known about the status of maternal, obstetric and neonatal complications and the potential predictors of developing heart failure (HF) in the mothers with pulmonary hypertension in China. Eligible samples were screened from January, 2012 to December, 2021. Maternal clinical characteristics and in-and-out hospital outcomes were collected and compared in women with and without pulmonary hypertension. The main aims of this study are as follows: 1. To investigate the perinatal diagnosis and treatment of pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension in China over the past 10 years and the maternal and infant outcomes. 2. To explore risk factors that affect the outcome of pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension in mothers and infants. 3. To summarise effective risk stratification management protocols and construct standardised strategies for the management of pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy. 4. To establish a clinical database, biobank and follow-up cohort for pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension across China.
This is a multicenter randomized clinical trial of 828 overweight and obese individuals with gestational diabetes designed to compare standard to intensive glycemic targets.
The aim of this study is to describe the metabolic changes during pregnancy in women with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes in order to detect the pathophysiological mechanisms behind severe insulin resistance during pregnancy as well as the short- and long term consequences for mother and child. Included pathophysiological mechanisms potentially associated with severe insulin resistance are: Maternal hormonal, inflammatory and metabolic markers in the blood, as well as the level, content and bioactivity of exosomes and genetic variants associated with overweight and diabetes. In addition to the analysis on maternal blood, the same analysis will be performed on umbilical cord blood in order to determine the correlation between markers associated with insulin sensitivity in maternal and umbilical blood. Furthermore, fetal metabolic changes influence on fetal growth and development will be evaluated. Postpartum, the breast milk will also be examined for metabolic active substances that could influence the newborns growth and metabolism. Investigating one potential short-term consequence of diabetes during pregnancy, the association between insulin resistance and structural and functional changes in the placenta will be examined as well as the consequences of such changes on fetal growth and development. Investigating one potential long-term consequence of diabetes during pregnancy, the association between treatment with high doses of insulin during pregnancy and the future risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and heart failure will be examined.
Pregnancy is associated with a increased risk of developing blood clots. There is nearly a 5 times greater risk of developing a blood clot in pregnancy. Lovenox is a medication that helps to prevent the body from developing clots. It is safe to use in pregnancy. Previous studies have demonstrated that despite recommendation of Lovenox, to prevent blood clots, the majority of patient's (70 to 90%) did not receive adequate levels of Lovenox at times throughout the day, which likely increases the risk of developing clots. The increase in blood volume and increase in kidney function that occurs in pregnancy may contribute to the inadequate levels. Currently the recommendation for pregnant and nonpregnant patients requiring Lovenox, is to calculate the daily dose of Lovenox and split the dose, giving half in the morning and the other half in the evening. This research study proposes that due to changes in the body during pregnancy that the daily Lovenox dosing be split into three times a day to achieve more consistent levels of Lovenox than twice a day in pregnant women.
The first aim of this study is to describe maternal hormonal and inflammatory changes during pregnancy in women that differ metabolically (limited to women with type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and/or overweight). The second aim of this study is to examine maternal hormonal, inflammatory and metabolic factors associated with insulin sensitivity in human pregnancy.
Historically and traditionally, the recommendations related to physical exercise during pregnancy have been based more on moral or cultural issues than on scientific evidence. During some phases of history, pregnancy has meant a period of seclusion for women (not only physical). One of the adverse consequences has been the common recommendation of rest as a general rule for pregnant women. Scientific evidence from recent years has achieved a better understanding of the process of pregnancy and childbirth as well as maternal and fetal responses to exercise. Currently, both from a scientific and clinical/obstetric point of view, there is no doubt about the benefits of an active pregnancy for entire body of pregnant woman, and even her child. In fact, risks of a sedentary lifestyle are applicable to the pregnancy situation, even more with important associated complications during pregnancy and postpartum period. Unfortunately, the impact of COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented global crisis, in this sense the necessary measures taken by the different administrations, especially in terms of confinement causes (from now on) a large number of complications affecting different populations. In summary a complex situation without established prevention strategies exists. The pregnant population is, due to the nature of the gestation and delivery process, one of the population groups with the highest risk of adverse outcomes and associated complications and whose consequences include the mother, fetus, newborn and even children. According to an important body of scientific literature and based on an epigenetic effect, the intrauterine environment can be a determining factor for the future human being to evolve regardless of complications and pathologies (cardiovascular, metabolic, psychic, emotional). This is demonstrated by numerous recent scientific evidences that confirm the unfortunate association between an adverse intrauterine environment (due to various factors) and observable postnatal pathologies in infants. In addition, current publications report the large number and variety of alterations that the COVID-19 situation causes in pregnant women and that includes the entire female organism. This complex situation does not only affect aspects of a physical or physiological nature, but also psychic and emotional factors. In summary, a new state of confinement or similar situations in the near future (impossibility of groupings, distance between people), avoid during the daily life of pregnant women one of the important and recent recommendations made by the international scientific community: a pregnancy physically active. This is especially relevant, due to the dangerous association between complications of a psychological or emotional nature during pregnancy with pre, peri and postnatal disorders (low birth weights, perinatal complications, altered and prolonged deliveries, etc.), which affect not only to the mother and can determine the health of the future human being. According to the scientific literature and based on an epigenetic effect, the intrauterine environment can be a determining aspect in the health of the future human being and the prevention of complications and pathologies (cardiovascular, metabolic, psychic, emotional). This is demonstrated by numerous and recent scientific evidences that confirm the unfortunate association between an adverse intrauterine environment (due to various factors) and different pathologies during and after pregnancy. It is evident the change that COVID-19 and its effects will generate in the lifestyle of the pregnant population and the increased probability of suffering associated pathologies in the next 24-36 months. No preventive actions have yet been planned in Spain and its public hospitals against the impact of COVID-19 on the quality of life of pregnant women. It is urgent to design and perform an adequate strategy of intervention for its possible prevention. From the scientific point of view, the recommendations are clear and concrete, an aerobic exercise program, designed and supervised by professionals from the Sciences of Physical Activity and Sports, is the best option for pregnant women. In this sense, in the last 30 years, physical exercise has proven to have many benefits for pregnant women, without causing risks or adverse effects on maternal-fetal well-being. This is confirmed by an important body of scientific literature on gestational physical exercise and its effects on pregnancy outcomes.
There is a fundamental gap in understanding the maternal and neonatal effects of antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) administration in women with threatened preterm birth (PTB) who have diabetes. Since the initial discovery of ACS for neonatal benefit in 1972, more than 40 randomized controlled trials have been performed evaluating its efficacy. However, none of these trials have included women with T2DM, and there is limited data among women with gestational diabetes. While ACS have been shown to reduce neonatal morbidity associated with PTB in non-diabetic women, the side effects of ACS (maternal hyperglycemia and fetal hyperinsulinemia) may mitigate the neonatal benefit of ACS in women with diabetes. Before neonatal benefit of ACS can be evaluated in this population, the first step is to optimize maternal glycemic control after ACS. Previous studies evaluating maternal hyperglycemia after ACS have been limited by small sample size, retrospective study design, or insufficient glucose data. Use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in a randomized clinical trial provides a unique opportunity to overcome these challenges. Our long-term goal is to improve maternal and child health among women with diabetes as an independently funded clinical researcher. The research objectives of this proposal are to test the efficacy of three treatment strategies at achieving maternal glycemic control after ACS and evaluate the association between maternal glycemic control and neonatal outcomes. Our central hypothesis is that treatment with a continuous insulin infusion will improve maternal glycemic control, which is key to improving neonatal outcomes, but at the cost of less patient satisfaction and more health resource utilization. This hypothesis will be tested by pursuing the following specific aims: 1) Test the efficacy of three treatment strategies (addition of sliding scale insulin, up-titration of home insulin, and continuous insulin infusion) at achieving maternal glycemic control after ACS and 2) Quantify the association between maternal glycemic control after ACS and neonatal morbidity. Completion of these aims will determine the optimal strategy to achieve maternal glycemic control after ACS and inform a larger, multicenter trial to improve neonatal outcomes among women with diabetes and threatened PTB.
Preterm birth (PTB) is the major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Worldwide, about 15 million babies are born too soon every year, causing 1.1 million deaths, as well as short- and long-term disability in countless survivors. Few prognostic tests are available to predict PTB. A short transvaginal ultrasound cervical length (TVU CL) has been shown to be a good predictor of PTB. Other strategies have been adopted for prevention of PTB. The evidence supports the use of vaginal progesterone in singleton pregnancies with short cervix. However, the predictive value of the research has recently been questioned, as the threat rate from preterms in the low-risk population has not decreased over time. Numerous clinical studies have been conducted to improve and identify effective prevention strategies in the threat of preterm birth. Among the parameters studied, in addition to the measurement of the uterine cervix and its complaints during the three trimesters of pregnancy, an evaluation of the cervical consistency index (CCI) was also proposed, i.e. an ultrasound evaluation of cervical softness.
Currently there is a great need for an accurately and rapid assessment of patients suspected for Covid-19. Like CT, Lung Ultrasound (LUS) examination can potentially help with the initial triage of patients but also help track the evolution of the disease. LUS can be used in every setting, including settings with limited infrastructure, allowing the reduction of disparities in trials participation. LUS is also a practical approach that can be used by obstetricians/gynecologists, who are the primary care givers in the labour and delivery room. The International Lung UltraSound Analysis (ILUSA) Study is an international multicenter prospective explorative observational study to assess the predictive value of LUS in Covid-19 suspected and diagnosed pregnant patients.