View clinical trials related to Preterm Birth.
Filter by:Heparanase is an endo-β-glucuronidase that cleaves heparin-sulfate (HS) side chains of heparan sulfate proteoglycans, an integral constituent of the extra cellular matrix (ECM). This study aims to investigate the association between heparanase expression in the human placenta and preterm birth (PTB) . The investigators hypothesize that an abnormal placentation causes relative placental ischemia that induces higher rates of heparanase expression.
This study investigates immunological and clinical markers in threatened preterm birth aiming to create a prediction model for preterm birth.
Preterm birth (PB) continues to be the main cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, with emotional and economic consequences. Despite improvements in health, PB prevalence remains stable, possibly due to complex causes such as maternal age, stress, multiparity, etc. Shortening of the uterine cervix in early stages of gestation is a risk factor for PB. The presence of abnormal vaginal microbiota in the early stages of pregnancy is als a risk factor for PB. However, no studies have analysed the impact of probiotics (live microorganisms which, in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host) on the PB in high-risk PB patients (pregnant women with threatened preterm delivery, i.e., uterine contractions and cervical shortening, with a 30% PB risk before 34 weeks, and 50% PB prior to 37 weeks (> 6-10% PB). Similarly, the effect of probiotics on vaginal flora dominated by lactic acid-producing bacteria could be analysed.
An open label, randomized, two-period, crossover, study to compare the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single dose Dexamethasone and Betamethasone administered orally and intramuscularly in 48 healthy, adult, female subjects under fasting conditions. This study is being conducted in Bangalore, India.
Preterm birth refers to a delivery that occurs before 37 weeks of gestation. Identification of those who will eventually deliver in the preterm period is very important. However, few interventions have been proven to prolong pregnancy in women at risk such as cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin (fFN) level or transvaginal cervical length measurements. In a meta-analysis comparing fetal breathing with cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin (fFN) level or transvaginal cervical length measurements, absence of fetal breathing was superior to other methods for prediction of preterm birth in 48 hours or 7 days. In this study, the investigators hypothesized that if a fetus holds its breath in case of preterm birth, then there may be specific fetal breathing patterns during preterm labor, which may be detected by ultrasonography
Women hospitalized for preterm labor require clear information about prematurity. This study assessed whether or not specific written information about prematurity delivered at admission to the unit combined with an oral explanation from a pediatrician would decrease women's anxiety compared to an oral explanation alone. This was a prospective, single-center observational study.Women were included in the high-risk pregnancies department and distributed into two groups: receiving ''only oral'' information for a prenatal clinical consultation with a senior pediatrician or receiving ''combined'' oral information + a booklet about prematurity given to the women at admission. The primary endpoint was the change in anxiety-state (before and after the information procedure) evaluated by the State Trait Anxiety Inventory-Y (STAI-Y).
20 parents with healthy preterm infants (born at <37 weeks of gestation), age 0-6 months and discharged from the hospital at time of enrollment and 20 parents with healthy full-term infants (born at ≥37 weeks of gestation), age 0-6 months and discharged from the hospital at time of enrollment will be enrolled to obtain records of sleep, stress, and infant nutrition from parents of infants (preterm and full-term) through interaction with the study chatbot.
Objective To compare vaginal microbiota in the first trimester of pregnancy between spontaneous preterm and term deliveries
Background: Preterm birth has major medical, psychological and socio-economic consequences worldwide. A recent systematic review suggests positive effects of music therapy (MT) on physiological measures of preterm infants and maternal anxiety, but methodologically rigorous studies including long-term follow-up of infant and parental outcomes are missing. Drawing upon caregivers' inherent resources, this study emphasizes caregiver involvement in MT to promote attuned, developmentally-appropriate musical interactions that may be of mutual benefit to infant and parent. This study will determine whether MT, as delivered by a qualified music therapist during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization and/or in home/municipal settings following discharge, is superior to standard care in improving bonding between primary caregivers and preterm infants, parent well-being and infant development. Methods: Design: International multi-center, assessor-blind, 2x2 factorial, pragmatic randomized controlled trial. A feasibility study has been completed; ethical approval for the main trial is pending. Participants: 250 preterm infants and their parents. Intervention: MT focusing on singing specifically tailored to infant responses, will be delivered during NICU and/or during a post-discharge 6-month period. Primary outcome: Changes in mother-infant bonding until 6 months corrected age (CA), as measured by the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes: Mother-infant bonding at discharge and over 12 months CA; child development over 24 months; and parental depression, anxiety, and stress, and infant re-hospitalization, all over 12 months. Discussion: This study fills a gap by measuring the long-term impact of MT for preterm infants/caregivers, and of MT beyond the hospital context. Outcomes related to highly involving parents in MT will directly inform the development of clinical practice in Scandinavia and other contexts with similar social welfare practices. By incorporating family-centered care, continuity of care, user involvement, and cultural relevance, this study can potentially contribute to improved quality of care for premature infants and their parents worldwide.
Since 2008, preterm neonates are taking care of in a Special Baby Care Unit (SCBU). Those born less than 34 weeks of gestation are followed-up monthly for one year for monitoring their hematocrit level, growth and development. Medical chart reviews are useful to evaluate the burden of diseases, characterize care treatment patterns and clinical outcomes by patients' subgroups; ultimately it can help identifying gaps in care pathways thus improving quality of care and ultimately reducing mortality. Medical records of all preterm neonates hospitalized in the SCBU including those followed up during their first year of life are computerized. The investigators propose to review the clinical charts of the preterm neonates in regards to four main points of care a) feeding, b) infections including early onset of neonatal sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis and umbilical cord infection, c) body temperature control and d) respiratory distress. This medical charts review will be complemented by i) focus group discussions (FGD) with the medical staff working in the SCBU on the benefits and difficulties in using the existing guidelines for preterm care and by ii) interviews with mothers who delivered a preterm neonate on their experience in caring for their child and the challenges they faced. While performing the retrospective part of the project and after discussing the preliminary findings from the medical staff perception of the existing guidelines, the investigators will evaluate the feasibility to implement some additional recommendations to improve preterm birth outcomes based on recent literature and new protocols for resource-limited settings.