Finding early signs of preterm birth and related pregnancy complications
Development of Non-invasive Liquid Biopsy Screening Tool for Preterm Birth Causes and Consequences
This research aims to create a new blood test for expectant mothers to help identify risks for preterm birth and other pregnancy issues like preeclampsia and poor fetal growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Magee-Women's Res Inst and Foundation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11167550 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Preterm birth is a major concern in pregnancy, and currently, it's hard to tell early on which mothers are at risk. This project is working on a special blood test, called a liquid biopsy, that looks at tiny pieces of DNA in a mother's blood. By examining specific patterns on this DNA, we hope to find early clues about preterm birth and predict how conditions like preeclampsia and restricted fetal growth might progress. This could help doctors provide better care and support for expectant mothers and their babies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Expectant mothers, particularly those at risk for or diagnosed with preterm birth, preeclampsia, or intrauterine growth restriction, would be the ideal candidates for future applications of this research.
Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or whose pregnancies are not affected by preterm birth or related complications would not directly benefit from this specific screening tool.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new blood test could allow doctors to identify at-risk pregnancies much earlier, leading to timely interventions and improved outcomes for mothers and babies.
How similar studies have performed: The researchers have built upon their previous successful work in non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), suggesting a foundation for this innovative approach.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, UNITED STATES
- Magee-Women's Res Inst and Foundation — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peters, David Gerard — Magee-Women's Res Inst and Foundation
- Study coordinator: Peters, David Gerard
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.