Preterm Birth

The first comprehensive study of how diverse evolutionary forces influence the leading cause of infant mortality is led by Vanderbilt researchers. Read More

Jennifer Sucre and colleagues have discovered a factor that contributes to the pathological changes of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, the most common complication of preterm birth. Read More

By defining the clinical and genetic factors that predict treatment response, Vanderbilt investigators aim to personalize therapy for a common heart complication in preterm infants. Read More

The protein beta-catenin may be a good target for therapies to treat lung disease that is a common complication of preterm birth. Read More

Vanderbilt researchers have developed a high-throughput assay that will aid in identifying new compounds to treat preterm labor or postpartum bleeding. Read More

Exposure of male mice to the pollutant dioxin causes preterm birth across multiple generations, suggesting that efforts to prevent preterm birth should include pre-conception interventions for dads. Read More

Understanding the relationship between the thinning and rupture of fetal membranes and the presence of bacteria could lead to treatment and prevention strategies for premature birth. Read More

A non-invasive measure of electrical brain activity in preterm infants predicts cognitive and communication functioning during early childhood, according to a new Vanderbilt University study. Read More

Antacids that block a certain enzyme pose a risk for a common cardiac problem in premature infants. Read More

Pregnant women who have had prior preterm births may avoid a subsequent early birth if given progestogens, which are natural or synthetic forms of progesterone, a female hormone that naturally increases during pregnancy, a Vanderbilt analysis shows. Read More

Researchers have identified a gene associated with accelerated evolution in humans that may increase some women's risk to deliver their baby prematurely. Read More

Vanderbilt professor receives $585,000 March of Dimes grant to identify genes that may predict preterm birth and help in the development of drugs to prevent it. Read More