CellulaR Injury and Preterm Birth (CRIB)

University of Pennsylvania

Status: Completed

Conditions: Preterm Birth

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02441335

821376

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this study is to examine how cellular dysfunction can lead to preterm birth. Women with singleton pregnancies with spontaneous preterm labor, preterm premature rupture of membranes, and cervical insufficiency (20 to 36-6/7 weeks gestation), and term deliveries (greater than 38 weeks) will be enrolled. Medical/obstetric history and pregnancy outcomes will be recorded. Maternal blood, urine and cervical cells (enrollment); cord blood and placental biopsy (delivery) will be collected.

Full description

Despite improvements in prenatal care, preterm birth (PTB) remains a leading contributor to perinatal morbidity and mortality. Several genetic and environmental factors have been associated with spontaneous preterm birth, but the pathways by which these factors induce preterm delivery have not been defined. The March of Dimes CPR at the University of Pennsylvania was created to help elucidate the pathogenesis of preterm birth by bringing together a diverse team of investigators with expertise in preterm birth, cellular metabolism, genetics, mitochondrial functional analyses, genome, epigenome, and transcriptome profiling, integrated bioinformatics analyses, and microbiome research. The center will focus on addressing the interactions between bioenergetics, genetics, microbiome, abnormal cervical remodeling and placental dysfunction. Each one of these factors will be studied independently and in relation to the other factors. In order to study metabolic processes in relation to spontaneous PTB, a prospective case-control study will be performed. This study will involve women with singleton pregnancies with spontaneous preterm labor (PTL), preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), and cervical insufficiency, between 20-0/7 and 36-6/7 weeks gestational age (cases), and women with term deliveries (38 to 41 weeks gestation, controls). The investigators will obtain information regarding the patients' pertinent past medical and obstetric histories, and the following specimens will be collected: maternal blood, maternal urine, and cervical epithelial cells at enrollment; and umbilical cord blood and placental biopsies at delivery. We will follow and record each of these patients' pregnancy outcomes.

Enrollment: 705 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Cases:

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18-45 years of age
• Singleton pregnancy between 20 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks gestational age who is admitted with preterm labor or cervical insufficiency (greater than 2 cm dilation) or Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes

Exclusion Criteria:

• Multiple gestation
• Fetal chromosomal abnormality
• Major fetal anomaly
• Intra-uterine fetal demise
• Gestational hypertension/preeclampsia

Controls:

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18-45 years of age
• Singleton pregnancy that delivers at term (38 to 41 weeks gestational age)
• Admitted to the hospital with spontaneous labor (regular contractions, cervical dilation) or spontaneous rupture of membranes

Exclusion Criteria:

• Multiple gestation
• Fetal chromosomal abnormality
• Major fetal anomaly
• Intra-uterine fetal demise
• Intra-uterine growth restriction
• Gestational hypertension/preeclampsia
• Clinical chorioaminionitis
• Induction of labor
• Elective c-section

Trial design

705 participants in 3 patient groups

Group 1 (Preterm labor, PPROM, cervical insufficiency)

Description:

Singleton pregnancy between 20 0/7 36 6/7 weeks gestational age who is admitted with PTL or cervical insufficiency (Equal or greater than 2 cm dilated) or PPROM

Group 2 (Term labor)

Description:

Admitted to the hospital with spontaneous labor (regular contractions, cervical dilation) or spontaneous rupture of membranes

Group 3 (PTB-medically indicated)

Description:

Singleton pregnancy between 20 0/7 34 5/6 weeks gestational age who is admitted with a medically indicated preterm birth (IOL for abruption, non reassuring fetal heart tones, intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, trauma, etc.)