Active clinical trials for "Premature Birth"

Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are exposed to stressful stimuli such as loud noises, bright lights, blood drawing, suctioning, and intubation, and are frequently left in isolation with minimal proper interaction. Stress has been demonstrated to exert a negative effect on the immune system. Different psychological interventions, including relaxation, have been used in efforts to reduce stress, and several of these techniques have been shown to improve cellular immunity. Massage therapy (MT) has been used to reduce stress in premature infants and has been associated with weight gain, shorter hospital stay, and improvement in mental/motor development. While MT has been shown to increase the number and function of natural killer (NK) cells in healthy adults and in adults infected with HIV, the effect of MT on the immune system of children, including premature infants, has never been investigated. The investigators hypothesize that, in premature infants, MT will enhance the immune system. One hundred and twenty stable premature infants meeting selection criteria will be randomized to massage and sham treatment groups. Immunologic evaluation will be performed on both groups at baseline, midway and at the end of therapy. Physicians, nurses, and parents will be masked. The investigators' unique and innovative study will be the largest study in this area and will provide valuable information on potential immune parameters associated with stress reduction and improved development in premature infants undergoing massage therapy.

safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics/efficacy of an escalating, repeat doses of YHD1044 in premature ejaculation

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of participation in relaxation exercises on pregnant women who are hospitalized on bed-rest.

The integumentary system protects the underlying body from the external environment, such as shocks, temperature, ultraviolet radiation, chemicals, and other threats. There is a considerable body of clinical evidence highlighting the importance of the stratum corneum and its barrier functions, which are especially beneficial for newborns. Given the dramatic transition from the aqueous womb to the dry terrestrial environment at birth, studies describing adaptations made by the skin barrier within the first month of life assume greater importance. The skin of the baby is morphologically and functionally different from the skin of adults. Neonatal skin is thinner, more fragile, and drier than adult skin; it is difficult to maintain fluid-electrolyte balance and temperature regulation. Notwithstanding, structure and function of skin continues to improve during the first months and even years of life. Special care procedures are nonetheless necessary to ensure healthy development, to protect the skin from irritation and reddening, and to help the newborn feel well. Therefore, this study, taking the form of a randomized controlled trial, aims to examine the effectiveness of tub bathing and sponge bathing on the physiological parameters (heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation, body temperature) and comfort of late preterm infants. Increasing comfort and physiological stabilization in premature infants during neonatal care improves their neurophysiological development. Bathing procedures that support this development and will not expose the newborn to stress should be preferred.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility and preliminary effects a GP_Posit intervention. GP_Posit is an intervention where mothers will learn how to participated in their preterm infant's care and positioning while being guided by a nurse. Preliminary effects will be estimated on maternal sensitivity, stress and anxiety as well as preterm infant's neurodevelopment.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) are morbid, costly, and incompletely understood diseases that have reached epidemic proportions worldwide. A dose-dependent relationship exists between premature atrial and ventricular contractions (PACs and PVCs) and development of AF and HF, respectively. Identifying and understanding the mechanisms of additional modifiable risk factors for ectopy has the potential to markedly reduce the healthcare burden of these diseases. In considering how to modify the prevalence of these ectopic beats, the investigators believe common exposures in daily life are prime candidates. Current guidelines suggest that caffeine may be an important trigger for frequent ectopy, although large population-based studies have not demonstrated an association between caffeine consumption and development of clinically significant arrhythmias. No study has employed an actual randomization intervention to assess the effects of caffeine on cardiac ectopy. Utilizing the Eureka platform, the investigators plan to utilize the N-of-1 strategy to rigorously investigate the real-time effect of caffeine intake on ectopy.

Enteral feeding tubes in newborns are used for feeding preterm and low birth weight babies in neonatal intensive care units as they often do not suck effectively owing to lack of coordination between sucking, swallowing and breathing due to neurological immaturity and delayed gastric emptying. The feeding tubes could be inserted by the nasogastric (NG) route or by the orogastric (OG) route. Both routes are used in different Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). Both methods are associated with different adverse events. Since newborn infants are obligate nose breathers, nasogastric tube (NGT) can lead to partial nasal obstruction which might increase airway resistance and work of breathing although they are easy to secure to the face than orally placed tubes. Orogastric tubes (OGT), on the other hand, may not lead to the potential risk of increased work of breathing associated with NGT but are more frequently malpositioned and can loop inside the mouth. Also there is increased possibility of apnea and bradycardia due to vagal stimulation. Despite so many years of continuing debate, the evidence of superiority of one method over another is not proven. Very few studies have tried to look into this matter and there are no consensus guidelines. This study is being conducted to compare the rate and type of adverse events in OG versus NG feeds in preterm neonates ≤ 32 weeks and postmenstrual age (PMA) ≤ 36 weeks. Preterm neonates born at ≤ 32 weeks with PMA≤ 36 weeks who require feeding tube as a route for enteral feeding once they are out of respiratory support ( i.e ventilation or CPAP) are eligible candidates. Feeding tube insertion episode (FTIE) is defined as episode of insertion of OG or NG tube. FTIE will be randomized into NG or OG routes. Primary outcome is frequency of desaturation and bradycardia in each group.

The main objective of this study is to determine whether the provision of non-surgical periodontal therapy to pregnant women with periodontitis is effective in reducing the incidence of low birth weight, preterm birth and still birth when compared to pregnant women with periodontitis but who will be provided with oral hygiene instructions alone.

The aim of this study is to investigate the In Vitro and In Vivo effect of progesterone on immature myeloid cells (IMC), inflammation characteristics and maturation into dendritic cells (DC).

This study is to investigate the effect of a wide range of assistance levels on respiratory pattern, breathing variability including tidal volume and peak inspiratory pressure during neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) in preterm infants. The investigators also aim to explore whether the effects of NAVA on the electrical activity of diaphragm (Edi) signal amplitude, work of breathing and comfort of preterm infants.