Active clinical trials for "Premature Birth"

Primary Hypotheses of the study include: Metabolic profiles are influenced by gestational age, chronological age, type and degree of nutritional support and illness Metabolic profiles differ between neonates who receive commercial formula and neonates who receive primarily human breast milk Neonates who develop parenteral associated cholestasis have metabolic markers that identify at risk patients (high serum urea nitrogen, citrulline, histidine, methionine, and succinyl carnitine and low thyroxine, serine and glutamate) Neonates that have hypothyroidism have abnormal metabolic profiles (low tyrosine levels)

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the growth of the lung and how easily gas can be taken up by the lung in healthy infants born at full term without any breathing problems and infants born prematurely.

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is known to be associated with an increased risk of ocular surface disease (dry eye), likely due to the reduction of both estrogens and androgens seen in this condition. From preliminary data, we suspect that women with Turners syndrome (45, XO), a genetic abnormality that affects sex hormone levels, are also at increased risk of ocular surface disease. Comparing POF and TS women may allow us to distinguish different mechanisms for ocular surface disease, due to the different etiologies of hormonal (estrogen and androgen) alterations posed by POF and TS.

The purpose of this study is to measure hormones in the blood known to affect the timing of delivery after a single injection of 17-P in order to help understand its mechanism of action in preventing preterm delivery.

Cardiovascular risk in women is systematically underestimated by both - society and physicians. Women younger than 50 years of age with acute coronary syndrome have 2x higher mortality compared with age-matched men. A number of common vascular-disease-related conditions are more frequent in women than in men. Women develop a more severe or different form of vascular disease then men. Variability of onset, relative risk, and the synergy of traditional and novel risk factors creates a challenge to physicians possibly resulting in suboptimal management and disregard in women presenting with angina symptoms. During last 10 years the rise in coronary artery disease (CAD) prevalence in younger women is observed. Emerging data suggest a unique risk profile in women (hypoestrogenemia with adverse effects of a protracted dysmetabolic state). The risk factors assessment and the risk factors profiles in women that are associated with CAD may be different than in men and thus merit reassessment. Purpose The primary objective of this study is to determine characteristics and prognosis of women with premature coronary artery disease and to evaluate the extent of atherosclerosis

The purpose of this study is to find out which method (nasogastric vs. orogastric) of feeding tube for premature infants results in earlier only oral feeding.

S100B, a calcium-binding protein, is found predominantly in the central nervous system (CNS) and is increased in CSF and blood after CNS injury. There are two objectives to this study. Is urine S100B concentration correlated with the serum concentration of S100B in infants born at 29-36 weeks gestation. The presence and severity of intracranial pathology on S100B concentration will be investigated. Further analysis will demonstrate if birth weight, daily fluid intake, urine output, and urine creatinine influence this relationship.

Children born with very low birth weight and extremely low birth weight are at increased risk of various ophthalmic challenges such as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), refractive error, strabismus, cerebral visual impairment, colour vision deficits, reduced contrast sensitivity (CS), visual field defects, and decreased visual acuity (VA). Many of these factors are not independent of each other. Among them, refractive error is a really common disorder. These can cause significant disability which can impact life's activities and, qualities. Currently, no standard guidelines are available toward the provision of ophthalmic follow up care for preterm infants. It is important to survey the prevalence of different ophthalmic sequelae in Taiwan, to identify the risk factors of developing these sequelae, and, furthermore, to build up a screening program. The preterm population has heterogeneous conditions to developing ophthalmic sequelae. National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) is now in charge of a big part of intense care for these low birth weight preterm neonates. With detailed medical record done of these children during care in the neonatal unit, we are competence for this meaningful program.

Compliance to Synagis (palivizumab) is a key factor to obtain maximal protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection as shown in the IMpact study. Many factors such as parents' knowledge of burden of respiratory syncytial virus disease or physicians' satisfaction with Synagis as well as the appropriate use of the product might influence compliance. The primary objective of this observational study is to evaluate the compliance to Synagis under daily pediatricians practice conditions in premature infants 33 to 35 weeks gestational age (wGA). Palivizumab, monoclonal antibody for passive immunoprophylaxis against severe respiratory syncytial virus disease, was administered according to usual clinical practice. Compliance was assessed using four criteria: The number of injections per participant per respiratory syncytial virus season, the body site where injections were administered, the interval in days between injections, and the dosage per administration. Originally the study was to include two respiratory syncytial virus seasons but was extended to a third season.

The goal of the project is to show the effectiveness of individualized developmental care and intervention, which begins with the FGR preterm infant's admission to the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) and extends to 2 weeks (w) after full term equivalent age or 2w CA (corrected age for prematurity).