|
Chronic Inflammation at Oral and Cervico-Vaginal Mucosa
Kristin Ashford, Ph.D.,
Principal Investigator
James
E. Ferguson,
Dolphus Dawson,
John Novak, Co-investigators
Funded by NIH/National Center
for Research Resources
Grant # 5P20 RR020145
(8/1/2009-7/31/2014)
Abstract
|
|
|
| |
Preterm birth (PTB; <37 weeks gestation) and low birthweight
(LBW; <2,500 g) deliveries continue to increase in the U.S. resulting
in substantial economic and societal costs. Adverse pregnancy outcomes
are disproportionately expressed in ethnic and racial minority populations
and historically underserved populations, particularly from rural regions
of the nation. However, a substantial proportion of the general overall
increase in incidence of PTB and LBW, including severe PTB (<32 weeks)
and very low birthweight (<1,500 g), cannot be explained by classical
risk factors for these negative birth outcomes. Thus, a broader view of
the potential interrelationships leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes,
including biologic markers or processes could provide some predictive
value allowing earlier intervention to reduce this burden in the
population.
This investigation will test the General Hypothesis that
“women who deliver preterm will have higher levels of prenatal
inflammatory markers in whole saliva, serum and cervico-vaginal fluid
(CVF), which are displayed earlier in pregnancy compared to women who
deliver term.” Three specific aims will be used to guide the study in
testing this hypothesis:
- Specific Aim 1: To compare and contrast the
expression of trimester-specific prenatal inflammatory markers in whole
saliva, serum and CVF. Rationale: This aim will determine our ability of
detect trimester-specific inflammatory markers in saliva, serum, and CVF.
- Specific Aim 2: To define the differences in the expression of
trimester-specific prenatal inflammatory markers between women who do and
do not experience preterm birth in a multi-racial/ethnic population.
Rationale: This aim will establish PTB-specific risk factors based on
prenatal inflammatory biomarker profiles in a racially/ethnically diverse
population of Caucasian, African American and Hispanic/Latino women) and
preterm birth (<37 completed weeks of gestation).
- Specific Aim 3: To
determine if trimester-specific prenatal inflammatory markers linked with
psychosocial and biobehavioral variables pose a significant risk for
preterm birth in a multi-racial/ethnic sample of pregnant women.
Rationale: This aim will establish if trimester-specific systemic and
local prenatal markers of inflammation coupled with psychosocial and
biobehavioral variables impact preterm birth risk and self-reported levels
of prenatal depressive symptoms; anxiety; stress, urine cotinine, and
self-reported prenatal SHS exposure
|
|
Top |
