Clinical Research Directory

Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Pregnancy in Low- and Middle-IncomE Countries

This study, Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Pregnancy in Low- and Middle-IncomE Countries (ABLE), is designed as a 2-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) focused on pregnant individuals and newborn infants. A positive outcome of this study will contribute to global progress toward WHO Sustainable Development Goal Target 3.2 \[End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age\] by examining the potential impact of this practice to reduce the incidence of SVN/SB and the lifelong health consequences associated with SVNs. In addition, the study will further explore the role and potential benefits of antibiotic treatment of AB in the pregnant individual. In total, 1,134 eligible participants, or approximately 162 per research site, will be randomized in the trial by the research teams in each of the seven international sites that, together with their United States of America (US) partners, participate in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's (NICHD's) Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research (GN).

Biological Impacts of Rising Temperatures on Maternal, Fetal, and Newborn Health: A Cohort Study (BIRTH Cohort)

The goal of this study is to learn how being exposed to high environmental temperatures during pregnancy affects the health of pregnant women and their babies. The study also aims to understand how the body responds to heat stress during pregnancy and how this might lead to pregnancy complications and birth problems like early birth or low birth weight. The main questions that the study aims to answer are: 1. What are the acute and chronic effects of environmental heat exposure on pregnancy and birth outcomes across different trimesters? 2. Through which biological pathways does heat stress impact maternal, fetal, and infant health across varying gestational ages? 3. How do socio-demographic factors, maternal characteristics, and nutritional status of women modify the relationship between environmental heat exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes? The study will take place in rural parts of Sindh, Pakistan. These areas often experience extreme heat and have limited access to electricity or cooling systems like fans or air conditioners. This study will include pregnant women who are in their first trimester (under 14 weeks of pregnancy). Before starting any study activities, researchers will explain the study to each woman in a language she understands and ask for her written permission to take part (informed consent). At the beginning of the study, participants will visit a study clinic. During this visit, researchers will check their height and weight, perform an ultrasound, and collect a small amount of blood for testing. Participants will also be asked to wear a small device that measures the air temperature and humidity in their surroundings. The researchers will follow each participant during her pregnancy, with visits during the second and third trimesters at the study clinic. At each visit, researchers will check how much heat the participant has been exposed to using the data from the device and from her own answers to a simple questionnaire. The questionnaire will have questions about their heat exposure at work, home, type of clothing, and how they deal with hot weather. Serial ultrasound, blood and urine tests will be conducted so researchers can study signs of stress, hydration, and other changes in the body. A smaller group of participants will also wear a device to measure their body skin temperature, heart rate, physical activity and sleep during pregnancy. When the baby is born, researchers will collect information about the birth, including the baby's weight and length, the time of delivery, and whether there were any complications during birth. After delivery, both the mother and baby will be followed for up to 12 months. During this time, the research team will check the health of both the mother and baby and see how heat exposure during pregnancy may affect the baby's growth over time. At delivery, placental weight and volume will be collected for a smaller group of women. Breastmilk sampling will also be done for this group of women to understand the effect of high temperatures on breastmilk quality. This study does not involve any treatment or medicine. Instead, researchers will observe the participants to learn how real-life heat exposure affects them during pregnancy. The findings from this study may help public health officials and governments find better ways to protect pregnant women and babies from the harmful effects of climate change and extreme heat, especially in places with limited resources.

Association of Assisted Reproductive Technologies Parameters With the Perinatal Outcome

The goal of this prospective cohort study is to examine how different parameters of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are associated with the perinatal outcome in individuals with singleton or multiple gestations. The main questions it aims to answer are: Are ART pregnancies associated with a higher risk of: * Small for gestational age neonates? * Fetal growth restriction, either early- or late-onset? * Development of preeclampsia? * Stillbirth (intrauterine fetal death after 22 weeks not due to known anomalies)? * Are certain ART parameters-such as the type of fertilization (e.g., IVF vs. ICSI), embryo stage at transfer, use of fresh vs. frozen embryos, or ovarian stimulation protocols-more strongly associated with adverse outcomes? Are ART pregnancies associated with placental and umbilical cord abnormalities, including: * Placenta previa? * Vasa previa? * Single umbilical artery? * Velamentous or marginal cord insertion? Researchers will compare outcomes between pregnancies conceived through ART and those conceived spontaneously. Participants will: * Be individuals aged 18 or older undergoing routine first-trimester ultrasound between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation * Provide detailed medical, obstetric, and ART-related information * Undergo routine prenatal assessments, including ultrasound evaluations of fetal growth, Doppler studies, and placental characteristics * Have perinatal outcomes such as gestational age at birth, mode of delivery, birthweight, and complications systematically recorded Statistical models will be used to adjust for confounding factors such as maternal age, BMI, parity, and smoking. The aim is to better understand how ART and specific ART parameters may influence maternal and neonatal health and to improve counseling and clinical care for people using fertility treatments.