Clinical Research Directory

Systematic Screening of Lower Genital Tract Infections

Introduction: The investigation of systematic screening for asymptomatic genital infections in low-risk pregnant women is justified by the relevance of these conditions in determining adverse neonatal outcomes, such as prematurity, low birth weight, and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Despite its importance, previous studies have shown inconsistent results, largely due to methodological limitations related to sample size, lack of standardized treatment protocols, and insufficient follow-up of pregnant women. There is also divergence among national and international guidelines, which vary between universal and selective recommendations, highlighting gaps in the standardization of clinical practices. Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of implementing systematic screening protocol for asymptomatic genital infections in low-risk pregnant women in preventing adverse gestational and neonatal outcomes. The specific objectives are: to identify the most prevalent infections in this group; to evaluate the relationship between treatment and the incidence of complications; to compare outcomes between participants assigned to systematic screening and those receiving standard care and to propose recommendations for clinical practice and health policies based on a critical review of the literature and the results obtained. Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial that will recruit 250 low-risk pregnant women, followed from the first trimester until delivery. Participants will be randomized into two groups: an intervention group, undergoing systematic screening with protocol-guided treatment, and a control group, managed according to current standard care practices, following the municipality's protocol for screening and treatment of genital infections. Primary outcomes include preterm birth, preterm premature rupture of membranes, low birth weight, intra-amniotic infection, puerperal infection, neonatal infection, and fetal and neonatal mortality. Statistical analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle, and differences in outcomes between groups will be estimated. Expected Results: This study is expected to provide evidence on whether systematic screening reduces (or does not reduce) maternal and neonatal complications. The randomized controlled trial will be prospectively registered prior to the enrollment of the first participant, in accordance with current ethical standards.

PGE2 Followed by Oxytocin vs Oxytocin in Term PROM (POXY-PROM)

This study is being done to learn more about the best way to start labor for pregnant women whose water breaks at term before labor begins, a condition called term prelabor rupture of membranes (term PROM). When this happens and the cervix is not ready for labor, it is unclear which induction method works best and is safest for mother and baby. The purpose of this study is to compare two common ways to induce labor in women with term PROM and an unfavorable cervix (Bishop score ≤ 6). One group will receive a vaginal dinoprostone insert (Propess) for 6 hours to soften the cervix, followed by oxytocin if labor does not start. The other group will receive immediate oxytocin through a vein. Pregnant women aged 18 years or older with a single baby in head-down position at 37-42 weeks, whose water has broken and whose cervix is not yet favorable, may be able to join this study. All care will be provided at the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Hanoi, Vietnam, where both medicines are already used in routine practice. The main outcome is how many women have a vaginal birth. The study will also look at how long it takes from induction to birth, complications for mothers and babies, and women's experiences of labor. The results may help doctors choose the safest and most effective way to induce labor for women with term PROM in the future.

Group B Streptococcus Infection and PROM Incidince

To investigate incidince of prom with GBS infection and role of prophylaxis against it