PREMATURE BIRTH

This study looks at whether giving pregnant people half the usual dose of a steroid (Celestone) can prevent serious health problems in babies born early. About 3,254 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the standard two doses or just one dose. The goal is to s…

This study tests whether giving surfactant (a medicine that helps lungs open) through a less invasive method helps premature babies with breathing problems survive. About 1,500 babies weighing 1.5 to 4.4 pounds will receive this treatment in African hospitals that lack ventilator…

This study tests whether adding azithromycin to the usual antibiotic (ampicillin) improves health outcomes for newborns when a woman's water breaks early (between 34 and 37 weeks of pregnancy). About 311 women will receive either ampicillin alone or ampicillin plus azithromycin w…

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 indoor air quality and the baby's oxygen and carbon dioxide levels with and without the purifier. 180 infants…

This study is testing a special camera that uses light to examine the cervix during pregnancy. The goal is to see if it can detect changes that might lead to preterm birth. Researchers will study 683 pregnant women, both at low and high risk of early delivery, to find patterns th…

This study tests whether a gentle, non-invasive nerve stimulation (taVNS) given during breastfeeding can help premature or sick newborns learn to breastfeed more effectively. Ten infants in the NICU will receive daily taVNS paired with breastfeeding for up to 14 days. Researchers…

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 aims to understand how air pollution impacts pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth. Researchers will use artificial intelligence to analyze health records from 18,000 pregnant women in London, along with pollution data from their neighborhoods. The goal is to create …

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 activity in 160 infants, comparing those born early to full-term babies. The goal is to find early sig…

This study is a patient registry for women whose water breaks too early (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), a condition called PPROM. Researchers will collect information from 3,000 participants to better understand what causes PPROM, how it is managed, and what happens to mothers an…

This study aims to improve how doctors talk with families when a baby may be born extremely early (22-25 weeks). Researchers will train doctors in communication skills and then measure if parents feel more informed, less anxious, and more involved in decisions. About 460 pregnant…

This study looks at how brain injuries at birth affect a child's thinking and attention as they grow. Researchers will watch healthy babies and babies with brain injury play simple games and measure their brain waves with a safe EEG cap. Parents also answer questions about behavi…

This study is creating a large collection of health data and biological samples from very preterm babies (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 and long…

This study is creating a large database to track the care and outcomes of extremely premature infants born at 22-23 weeks of pregnancy. Researchers will collect information from many hospitals on all deliveries and NICU admissions in this group. The goal is to understand current …

This study tests a special pacifier that plays a recording of the mother's voice when the baby sucks on it. The goal is to see if this helps preterm infants (born early) learn to tell different speech sounds apart, which could improve their language skills. About 200 babies born …

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 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…