View clinical trials related to Premature Birth.
Filter by:The incidence of multiple gestations has increased over the past years, mostly because of increased use of assisted reproductive technologies. Triplet pregnancies are at increased risk of preterm birth (PTB), which is the primary reason for their increased morbidity and mortality compared to singletons. Multiple gestations, including triplets, account for about 3% of all pregnancies in the US but constitute at least 10% of cases of PTB, over 30% of very low birth weight infants, and nearly 20% of infant mortality. A short cervical length (CL) on transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) has been shown to be a good predictor of PTB, including in multiple gestations. In singletons with a prior PTB and a short CL <25mm before 24weeks, cerclage is associated with significant decreases in PTB and perinatal morbidity and mortality in the meta-analysis of randomized trials (RCTs). On the contrary, the effect of cerclage in multiple gesttations has been insufficiently studied, with meta-analysis data showing a possible harm from cerclage compared to controls. The aim of this RCT is to evaluate the efficacy of cervical pessary in prevention of PTB in unselected triplet gestations. We planned to assess outcomes in subgroup analysis of women with short cervical length (TVU CL <30 mm)
An electrical-inhibition (EI) uterine pacemaker device similar to an electrical heart pacemaker delivers a weak electrical current to the human uterus during active preterm labor to rapidly and safely inhibit the unwanted premature uterine contractions and possibly a preterm birth.
Lung protection should start in the delivery room where, from the first breaths, the preterm infant can be helped to clear the lung fluid and to recruit alveolar spaces and establish the functional residual capacity (FRC). Sustained lung inflation (SLI) applied at birth in the delivery room has been demonstrated to lead to clearance of lung fluid and achievement of a precocious functional residual capacity (FRC) both in animal and human studies. SLI associated to an adequate positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) may help the efficacy of the respiratory effort in lung of preterm infants at risk for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and reduce need of mechanical ventilation (MV). Further studies are required to evaluate the clinical utility of this maneuver. The ability to monitor what happens to the lungs while applying different recruitment maneuvers in preterm infants would allow the definition of a procedure that allows optimal assistance to improve the FRC. One promising approach is provided by the forced oscillation technique (FOT). During forced oscillations, a small amplitude sinusoidal pressure stimulus is applied to the airway opening and the mechanical response of the respiratory system is studied by means of the total respiratory input impedance (Zin). Zin is a complex number that can be expressed as real part, called resistance (Rrs), and imaginary part, called reactance (Xrs). Particularly, it has been recently shown that Xrs measured at 5 Hz is very sensible to changes in the mechanics of lung periphery and provides accurate information about lung volume recruitment and derecruitment. The main purpose of this work is to apply FOT to the assessment of lung function in newborns submitted to SLI at birth. The investigators hypothesized that the application in the delivery room of the SLI in the preterm infant is effective in achieving a greater FRC and therefore a greater value of Xrs compared to a control group not treated with the SLI.
This is a randomized prospective clinical study that will evaluate the effects of antenatal corticosteroid administration (ACS) vs. placebo in singleton pregnancies who are threatening to deliver prematurely between 22 0/7 and 23 6/7 weeks on admission with the goal of improving composite neonatal mortality and morbidity.
The investigators hypothesize that continuous infusion of 4 µg/Kg/day T4 with 30 µg/Kg/day oral potassium iodide (KI) for 42 days from birth will reduce by 30% or more (from an estimated 30% to 21%) the proportion of extremely low gestational age subjects with a composite endpoint of "cerebral palsy (CP) or a Bayley III Composite Cognitive Score < 85" at 36 months corrected postnatal age (CA).
Prophylactic enteral probiotics may enhance clinical markers and biomarkers of preterm infants' health, and may also play a role in reducing NEC and associated morbidity.
Indomethacin for tocolysis for 48 hours vs placebo
A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial of Vaginal Progesterone to Prevent Early Preterm Birth In Twin Pregnancy with Short Cervix.
During the first four days of life, intestinal fatty acid binding protein (iFABP) is elevated in the urine of premature babies who go on to develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) days to weeks later. This study aims to determine whether the withholding of feedings in babies with an elevated urinary iFABP can reduce the incidence of NEC.
Hypothesis: Both nifedipine or progesterone are widely used in clinical practice as maintenance tocolytic therapy after an episode of threatened preterm delivery. Nevertheless, there is insufficient evidence to justify its routine use. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these tocolytic drugs for maintenance tocolysis in the management of threatened preterm delivery. Materials and methods: Phase III clinical trial, which evaluates the efficacy and safety of nifedipine and progesterone as maintenance tocolytic therapy until the 34th week of pregnancy in randomized women after an episode of threatened preterm delivery. Pregnant women with singleton pregnancies are going to be evaluated, with intact membranes and cervical length less than or equal to 25 mm, which have received acute tocolysis with atosiban. They will be randomized to receive maintenance tocolysis with nifedipine (60 mg / day orally) or progesterone (200 mg / day vaginally) until week 34 of gestation. Therefore all included patients will receive treatment with proven but not agreed efficacy, to decrease the recurrence of threatened preterm delivery, prolongation of gestation and subsequent better perinatal outcome. During the course of pregnancy, patients will be monitored in outpatient obstetrics, thus checking an adequate compliance. Monitoring will continue until the end with the delivery and collection of newborn data. The study will be single-blind, since there will be a blind evaluator. The drugs or treatments not allowed before and / or during the clinical trial are those which are indicated in the data sheet for each drug. If the patient takes antihypertensive treatment and continues it during pregnancy, dose adjustment will be done if it is needed. Data will be collected in the case report data (CRD). The end of the test will be considered when the last recruited patient complete the gestation (delivered vaginally or cesarean), and all data from newborn are collected. If a serious adverse event occurs in a patient, the woman will immediately finish the clinical trial and will be followed until complete resolution of the episode. Treatment is going to be considered effective if the birth occurs after 37 weeks of pregnancy with satisfactory perinatal outcome. The drugs are going to be considered safe if they do not cause adverse events in pregnant women, or if they are not serious. Number of Subjects: 50 pregnant women Diagnosis and main criteria for inclusion and exclusion: Inclusion Criteria - Pregnant women with singleton pregnancies and intact membranes which have passed an episode of threatened preterm delivery (uterine contractions with cervical change) successfully treated with atosiban as acute tocolytic therapy. - Cervical length ≤ 25 mm. Exclusion Criteria - ≥ 3 cm cervical dilation, multiple pregnancy, maternal medical contraindication to tocolysis with nifedipine, atosiban or progesterone, or obstetric contraindication to tocolytic treatment (severe preeclampsia, intrauterine infection, placental abruption, fetal abnormality incompatible with life, fetal death) . Investigational product, dose and mode of administration: After a successful treatment of acute preterm labor with atosiban, is will be compared the safety and efficacy of maintenance tocolytic therapy with nifedipine 60 mg / day orally or progesterone 200 mg / day vaginally. Therapeutic group: C08CA05 Nifedipine. G03DA04 micronized progesterone. Route of administration: nifedipine orally. Progesterone vaginally. Dose: Nifedipine 60 mg / day. Progesterone 200 mg / day. Duration of treatment: From the resolution of acute episode of threatened preterm labor until 34 weeks of gestation. Reference treatment, dose and mode of administration: Current evidence questions the utility of maintenance tocolytic therapy. No reference treatment is currently defined.