View clinical trials related to Stillbirth.
Filter by:Background: - In some countries, such as South Africa, the pesticide DDT is an important chemical for control of malaria-carrying mosquitoes. However, there is little evidence about the effects that it might have on human health. - DDT has been associated with miscarriage and fetal loss in areas with high levels of exposure, but more research is needed to determine what levels of exposure are associated with loss of pregnancies. Objectives: - To examine the relationship between pre-pregnancy levels of DDT in the blood and the loss of clinically recognized pregnancies. - To conduct a pilot study to evaluate data collection procedures for future research. Eligibility: - Women between 20 and 30 years of age who are not currently pregnant and who reside in villages in the Vhembe District in the northeastern part of South Africa. Design: - Evaluation of eligibility: 1. Short physical examination, with questionnaire about medical history, current living conditions, and daily life. 2. Several blood samples will be taken for study and to test for anemia, elevated lead levels, malaria, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). - Half of the women will come from villages that are currently being sprayed with DDT, and half will come from villages that are not being sprayed. - Evaluation before and during pregnancy for subjects who become pregnant: 1. Blood and urine test, including urine pregnancy test. 2. Questions about recent menstrual history and sexual activity. 3. Questions about medical history, including treatment for malaria. - Pregnancy follow-up study, including blood draws, will be conducted regardless of whether the pregnancy is carried to term. - Researchers will assess and adjust study parameters as needed.
Prevention of malaria in pregnancy is critical given the high incidence of malaria in Zambia and its serious impact on both maternal and infant survival. Intermittent presumptive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has been shown to be highly efficacious for reducing the risk of malaria in pregnancy. However, based on a study done in western Kenya, HIV-infected pregnant women may need more frequent dosing of SP, i.e., on a monthly basis rather than the standard 2-dose regimen given during the second and third trimesters, as HIV appears to reduce the effectiveness of the SP drug combination. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the standard dosing regimen in comparison to an intensive monthly SP dosing schedule in HIV-positive women.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether a daily prenatal supplement of iron plus folic acid or a daily prenatal supplement with multiple vitamins and minerals given to women from their first prenatal visit through delivery reduces perinatal mortality compared with a daily prenatal supplement of folic acid alone.