Preterm Birth in Nulliparous Women: An Understudied Population at Great Risk

Northwestern University At Chicago, Evanston IL

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal seeks to describe this organizational structure, provider engagement, study subject recruitment and retention strategies, protocol implementation procedures, and scientific capabilities of the Northwestern Study Center to meet the overall objectives of the investigation: Preterm birth in nulliparous women: an understudied population at great risk. The ultimate aims of this observational study of nulliparous women are: to identify maternal characteristics (i.e. environmental, genetic, physiologic) that are associated with preterm delivery; to identify placental characteristics (i.e. developmental and functional) that are associated with preterm delivery; to identify fetal characteristics (i.e. genetic, growth, developmental) that are associated with preterm delivery; and to use these characteristics to better predict preterm delivery and understand the mechanisms that underlie it. Correspondingly, the Northwestern Study Center will: 1. Provide an effective organizational structure and management approach to support the objectives of the Preterm birth in nulliparous women study; 2. Utilize and expand upon the existing relationships of the Northwestern Study Center to develop and implement effective strategies for the recruitment of nulliparous parturients and the retention of these subjects throughout the study; 3. Establish and implement survey data, ultrasound examination, physical examination, and specimen collection processes that meet the requirements of the Preterm birth in nulliparous women study; and 4. Contribute to the scientific collaboration among the clinical centers to support the study's objectives and make full and innovative use of the unique data resulting from the Preterm birth in nulliparous women study.