Active clinical trials for "Premature Birth"

Out of the most commonly performed procedures in neonates, naso-gastric tube insertion is rated as the fifth most painful. The pain is often under estimated due to the frequency with which the procedure is carried out. It has been shown that the environment in which the procedure is performed (e.g with skin to skin contact and specific positioning), reduces the discomfort felt by the newborn. However, this has not yet been proven with regards to naso-gastric tube insertion.

In women with indicated vaginal cerclage, this study aims to assess the efficacy of antenatal prophylactic Azithromycin in preventing preterm labor.

Respiratory distress syndrome is the most common cause of respiratory failure in preterm infants. Treatment consists of respiratory support and exogenous surfactant administration. Commonly, surfactant is administered via an endotracheal tube during mechanical ventilation. However, mechanical ventilation is considered an important risk factor for developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Surfactant nebulisation during noninvasive ventilation may offer an alternative method for surfactant administration and has been shown to be promising in terms of physiological as well as clinical changes. In preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome, the effect of intratracheally administered surfactant on lung function during invasive ventilation has been studied extensively. However, the effect of early postnatal surfactant nebulization remains unclear. Therefore, the investigators plan to conduct a randomized controlled trial in order to investigate the effect of surfactant nebulization immediately after birth on early postnatal lung volume and short-term respiratory stability.

In the proposed study the investigators will develop an early prenatal preventive intervention targeting anxiety and conduct a randomized controlled trial in Pakistan to test its efficacy in reducing generalized anxiety disorder and major depression in mothers in late pregnancy and the postnatal period. Investigators will evaluate the impact of the intervention on fetal and infant growth restriction as well as examine how the impact of the intervention is mediated (to elucidate mechanisms) and/or modified (to help optimize future adaptations of the program) by various social factors. A cost-effectiveness evaluation will shed light on the costs and benefits of intervention components in relation to outcomes, enabling policy-makers and public health planners to scale up this intervention according to resource budgeting requirements.

The aim of this study is the safety and efficacy of autologous very small embryonic-like stem cells(VSELs) to premature ovarian failure.

In spite of advances in neonatal intensive care allowing the first generation survivors of extreme prematurity to now reach young adulthood, these individuals present with reduced exercise capacity; a strong predictor of later chronic disease and mortality. The reason why individuals born preterm have exercise limitation remains unclear and may be a consequence of impact of preterm birth and associated neonatal difficulties on the development of organs important for exercise, namely the lungs, the heart, the vessels (which bring blood and oxygen to the muscles) and the muscles. It is well known that exercise benefits overall health in at-risk as well diseased populations. However, whether exercise training can improve fitness in young adults born preterm was not demonstrated and whether the cardiovascular, pulmonary and muscle impairments associated with preterm birth are reversible through exercise intervention in young adulthood is unknown.

The protective effect of mother's milk and colostrum on oropharyngeal cavity is not achievable with gavage feeding. This may be increase the risk of colonization of the oropharyngeal cavity with pathogenic bacteria and subsequent increase in the risk of neonatal sepsis. We aim to study the impact of Oropharyngeal Administration of Mother's Milk (OPAMM) before gavage feeding on clinical outcome, bacterial colonization of the GIT of preterm infants with pathogenic bacteria. We also aim to study the immune-protective effect of OPAMM on the incidence of nosocomial sepsis.

A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted in the neonatal high care unit of Tygerberg Children's Hospital (TBCH) Cape Town, South Africa for the period July 2011 to August 2012. The primary objective of the study was to assess the effect of probiotics on the incidence of NEC in high risk infants born to HIV-positive and HIV-negative women. Throughout the study period, the standard of care protocol consisted of one dose (5 drops) probiotic/placebo daily for 4 weeks (28 days). This provided the study group with L. rhamnosus GG (0.35 x 109 colony-forming units [CFU]) and B. infantis (0.35 x 109 CFU) daily. The control group received placebo consisting of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. Supplementation of the probiotic/placebo was initiated when enteral feeds started. Probiotic/ placebo supplementation was delayed/ halted in the event of: the infants being nill per os (NPO); when a query Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) was suspected the infant continued with treatment until a confirmed a positive diagnosis of NEC I was made through abdominal X-ray; if the infant remained a query NEC and was NPO the infant did not receive probiotics/ placebo until the enteral feeds were commenced again. Supplementation was discontinued when HIV-exposed infants had a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result on day 14 of life. All study participants received human breast milk. Both the probiotics and placebo were mixed with the mothers own breast milk or donor breast milk before administration via the orogastric tube or orally. The probiotic/ placebo was added to the breast milk by the researcher and two research assistants who were blinded and not involved in the routine care of the infants. Participants exited the study on day 28 after birth or upon discharge from the hospital.

Indomethacin for tocolysis for 48 hours vs placebo

The investigators hypothesize that Recorded Home Oximetry (RHO) utilization will not increase rates of respiratory-related re-hospitalizations and ED visits, and will not impair growth compared to standard oxygen management protocols. Evidence-based specific consensus guidelines for home regulated oxygen management do not currently exist. Current strategies for infants requiring outpatient supplemental home oxygen include brief checks of oxygen status during monthly clinic visits. Although the infants stay on monitors, no data in between visits is obtained to ensure that infants can maintain oxygen levels after weans are made. Before finally allowing oxygen to be removed, many centers also require an overnight sleep study in the hospital, to make sure that the infant's oxygen levels stay safe when the infant is in deep sleep. Because these methods rely solely on assumptions rather than individually recorded data, an infant's time on supplemental oxygen may be prolonged or insufficient. This study will evaluate both the currently used accepted therapy and a method of weaning that involves recording and sending oxygen data for analysis in between clinic visits. Premature infants who require home oxygen therapy at time of discharge who meet eligibility criteria will be randomized into two arms: Arm A ("Standard therapy"): Infants' oxygen will be increased, decreased, or maintained based on brief structured assessments during monthly clinic visits. Arm B (Recorded Home Oximetry (RHO)): Infants will have the same monthly clinic assessments as in Arm A, but also will utilize Recorded Home Oximetry (RHO) to potentially increase, decrease or maintain oxygen between monthly visits. Parents of all infants will be interviewed using structured quality-of-life questionnaires at the beginning and ending of the oxygen management process. Health care utilization (emergency department visits and rehospitalizations) and growth will be assessed 6 months after discontinuation of oxygen. The investigators overall objective is to determine whether Recorded Home Oximetry (RHO) can improve caregiver quality of life, and can shorten Home Oxygen Therapy (HOT) duration and eliminate need for polysomnogram, without compromising safety. The investigators will determine respiratory-related re-hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, and growth parameters to confirm safety of the proposed weaning strategies.