Vaginal bacteria and social factors linked to preterm birth in Hawai‘i
Social Determinants and Vaginal Microbiome Effects on Preterm Birth in Hawaii
This project looks at vaginal bacteria and social factors in pregnant people in Hawai‘i to find signs that could predict early (preterm) birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171601 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to provide vaginal swabs and information about income, nutrition, and access to healthcare during pregnancy. Researchers will use 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify the types and amounts of bacteria in the vagina and compare profiles like Lactobacillus crispatus dominance versus anaerobic communities. They will link these microbial profiles and social determinant data to birth timing to see which patterns are associated with preterm birth in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. The long-term goal is to use these molecular signals to develop a point-of-care test to identify people at higher risk for early delivery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant people in Hawai‘i, especially Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander individuals or those at higher risk for preterm birth, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant, live outside Hawai‘i, or whose preterm birth risk is unrelated to vaginal microbiome patterns may not receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a simple test to identify pregnant people at higher risk of preterm birth so doctors can offer earlier interventions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked Lactobacillus crispatus–dominant vaginal communities to lower preterm birth risk in other populations, but results are less certain in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander groups, so this work extends existing findings.
Where this research is happening
Honolulu, United States
- University of Hawaii at Manoa — Honolulu, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Corrie — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Miller, Corrie
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.