PREMATURE BIRTH

This study tests whether adding azithromycin to the usual antibiotic (ampicillin) can reduce serious health problems in newborns when a pregnant person's water breaks early (between 34 and 37 weeks). About 311 participants will receive either ampicillin alone or ampicillin plus a…

This study looks at whether giving pregnant people at risk of preterm birth a single, lower dose of steroids works as well as the usual two-dose treatment. The goal is to reduce serious health problems in premature babies, like breathing issues or brain bleeding. About 3,250 part…

This study tests whether giving surfactant—a medicine that helps babies' lungs work—through a less invasive method can improve survival in premature infants with breathing problems. The trial takes place in African hospitals that lack ventilators, so the approach uses a thin tube…

This study tests whether using an air purifier at home can help preterm babies (born before 37 weeks) breathe better and develop healthier lungs. Researchers will measure air quality and the baby's oxygen levels, breathing, and growth with and without the purifier. The goal is to…

This study tests whether special mouth exercises and a feeding schedule based on the baby's natural body clock help preterm infants (born 29-33 weeks) learn to feed by mouth, gain weight, and transition to full oral feeding. Researchers will assess 54 stable preterm babies over 1…

This study tests whether extra support from a doula (a trained birth coach) can help mothers of premature babies in the NICU feel less stressed, depressed, or anxious. Twenty mothers will receive doula support and help coordinating care, both in the hospital and after going home.…

This study tests whether a mild electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve (taVNS) during breastfeeding can help premature or sick newborns improve their feeding skills. Ten infants in the NICU will receive daily taVNS paired with breastfeeding for up to 14 days. Researchers will …

This study is creating a registry to collect information on extremely premature infants born at 22-23 weeks of pregnancy. Researchers will gather data on all deliveries and intensive care admissions at participating hospitals to understand current practices and outcomes. No treat…

This study aims to understand how air pollution affects pregnancy and increases the risk of preterm birth. Researchers will use artificial intelligence to analyze health records from 200,000 pregnant women in London, along with pollution data from their neighborhoods. The goal is…

This study tests whether a virtual version of the Abecedarian Approach, an early learning program, works as well as in-person sessions for children aged 0-5 who had a brain injury at birth (HIE) or were born very prematurely. Researchers will enroll 225 families in rural areas to…

This study is a patient registry for women diagnosed with PPROM before 37 weeks of pregnancy. It aims to identify possible causes, track how the condition is managed, and review short- and long-term outcomes for both mother and baby. No new treatments are being tested; instead, r…

This study is building a large collection of health information and biological samples from very preterm infants (born before 32 weeks or weighing less than 1500 grams). Researchers will follow these children for several years to identify factors that influence their development …

This study tests a special pacifier that plays a mother's voice when a baby sucks on it, aiming to help preterm infants learn to tell different speech sounds apart. About 200 babies born early will take part, and researchers will measure their brain activity with a soft electrode…

This study looks at how being born moderately early (32-36 weeks) affects the way babies' brains process speech sounds and learn words. Researchers will use EEG to measure brain responses to syllables in 160 infants, comparing those born preterm to full-term babies. The goal is t…

This study tests a decision support tool called Periviable GOALS for parents facing the threat of giving birth extremely early (between 22 and 25 weeks of pregnancy). The tool provides clear information about outcomes and helps parents clarify their values. About 300 parents will…

This study looks at how babies' brains develop after an early injury. Researchers will use fun games and a safe brain-wave test (EEG) to see which babies might have trouble with thinking and memory later. The goal is to find early signs that could help doctors support these child…

This study aims to improve how doctors counsel families when a baby is expected to be born extremely early (between 22 and 25 weeks of pregnancy). Researchers will train doctors in better communication skills and then ask parents about their knowledge, satisfaction, and decision-…

This study is testing a new camera technique called Mueller polarimetric colposcopy to see if it can predict preterm birth. The camera looks at changes in the cervix during pregnancy. Researchers will study 683 pregnant women, both at low and high risk of preterm birth, to find p…