Effects of high altitude on blood flow during pregnancy
Official title: Effects of High Altitude on 5' Adenosine Monophosphate-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) Activation and Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor Gamma (PPARγ) Regulation
Run by University of Colorado, Denver · NCT02391519 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is trying to see how living at high altitude affects blood flow in pregnant women and if it relates to complications like growth issues in babies and high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 84 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Colorado, Denver Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Aurora, Colorado) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 2016 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | February 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT02391519 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are pregnant women scheduled for cesarean delivery at either high or low altitude without any complicating medical conditions.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with pre-existing medical conditions affecting vascular health, such as diabetes or hypertensive disorders, will not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study investigates how living at high altitude affects the blood flow in myometrial arteries of pregnant women. Researchers will collect tissue samples from women undergoing cesarean deliveries at both high altitude (Summit County) and low altitude (Denver) to assess changes in vasoreactivity. The study aims to understand the relationship between altitude, altered blood flow, and the increased rates of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia (PreE). Additionally, it will explore how chronic hypoxia at high altitudes may influence DNA methylation and gene expression related to metabolic health in maternal and fetal cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of pregnancy complications at high altitudes, potentially leading to improved maternal and fetal health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While this approach is novel in the context of high altitude and pregnancy, similar studies have shown the importance of environmental factors on pregnancy outcomes.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Women scheduled for cesarean delivery at University of Colorado Hospital (Denver, 1600 m) and St. Anthony's Summit Medical Center (Summit County, 3000 m) * Cesarean delivery at a prescheduled time without any labor, typically at 39 weeks gestation Exclusion Criteria: * Women will be excluded if there are co-existing medical diagnoses that are known to affect vascular parameters (i.e., diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes, any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, or a current smoker). * Women with multiple gestations and preterm deliveries will also be excluded.
Where it's running
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University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, Colorado, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Lorna Moore, PhD — University of Colorado, Denver
- Study coordinator: Lorna Moore, PhD
- Email: lorna.moore@ucdenver.edu
- Phone: 303-724-7474
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.