Clinical Research Directory

Admission to Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Ward and Maternal Postpartum Depression

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if extended admission to the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) ward helps to prevent postpartum depression in mothers of low birthweight infants in a low-resource setting whose newborns were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) more than standard of care KMC. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does longer KMC decrease the incidence of postpartum depression in mothers of low birthweight infants in a low-resource setting? * Does longer KMC improve neurodevelopmental outcomes of low birthweight infants at 6, 12, and 18 months in a low-resource setting? * What are the barriers to practicing KMC in low birthweight infants following hospital discharge in a low-resource setting? * What is the prevalence of paternal depression in a low resource setting? * Is it cost effective to admit preterm mother-infant dyads to the KMC ward following NICU discharge? Researchers will compare (extended admission to the KMC ward) to (standard of care KMC) to see if extended KMC decreases PPD in mothers of preterm infants in low-resource settings. Participants (infants) will: * At time of discharge from the NICU, when clinically stable, spend either \< 2 days in the KMC ward with their mothers or spend longer in the KMC ward until discharge. * Return to clinic at routine follow-up visits (at 2 weeks and at 6-8 weeks) where mothers will be screened for postpartum depression and fathers will be screened for depression. * Return to clinic for neurodevelopmental screening at 6, 12, and 18 months where mothers will be screened for postpartum depression and perceived social support and fathers will be screened for depression.

BEP Supplementation Research in Bangladesh (JiVitA-BEP-IR)

The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of fortified balanced energy and protein (BEP) supplementation vs. control (multiple micronutrient supplement, MMS) without targeting and with targeting (either by low prepregnancy BMI or low prepregnancy BMI and inadequate gestational weight gain) on birth weight and adverse birth outcomes of low birth weight (LBW \< 2500 g) and small-for-gestational age (SGA). To do this we are proposing a cluster-randomized, open labeled effectiveness trial with four arms The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: • Does mean birth weight and rate of LBW and SGA differ among mothers randomized to four arms that include targeted or untargeted BEP supplementation vs. MMS differ. Participants will be recruited in early pregnancy and be enrolled in the trial and randomly receive: 1. A daily BEP supplement from enrollment until birth 2. A daily BEP supplement from enrollment until birth, if they have low pre-pregnancy BMI with the rest receiving a MMS supplement 3. A daily BEP supplement from enrollment until birth, if they have low pre-pregnancy BMI with the rest receiving a MMS supplement or get switched to a BEP supplement based on inadequate gestational weight gain. Researchers will compare the above groups to women receiving a MMS daily to see if birth weight is higher in the intervention arms. Other adverse outcomes such as low birth weight, small-for-gestational age and preterm birth will also be compared between groups and relative to the control.

Promoting Kangaroo Care for Preterm or Low Birthweight Infants in Rural India

The goal of this study is to develop ways to help mothers of preterm or low birth weight infants do Kangaroo Care at home after discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in rural India.

Increased Risk of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Low Birth Weight Individuals

The investigators recently demonstrated a increase in liver fat in early middle-aged LBW compared to normal birth weight (NBW) men, and 20% of the LBW - but none of the normal birth weight (NBW) - men had previously unknown non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Here the investigators will further examine the Increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in low birth weight individuals by performing a validation study.

Description and Comparison of Biological Vulnerability in Small Vulnerable Newborns Versus Healthy Community Controls in Urban Burkina Faso

The aim of the DenBalo study is to apply integrated multi-omics methods to examine the biological mechanisms underlying this vulnerability in Small Vulnerable Newborns (SVNs) in LMICs, with the ultimate goal of identifying targeted interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality in this high-risk population. The evidence generated from this project will ultimately help promote healthy pregnancies and the birth of healthy babies. To achieve this goal, three research objectives are proposed: 1. To describe and compare gut microbiota, immune system and breastmilk components in SVNs versus healthy community controls in urban Burkina Faso. 2. To describe and compare the development of the gut microbiota, the immune system and breastmilk components during the first six months of life in SVNs versus healthy community controls in urban Burkina Faso. 3. To investigate the relationship between the composition of the gut microbiota, the immune system and breastmilk components during the first six months of life in SVNs versus healthy community controls in urban Burkina Faso.