158 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Maternal obesity (MO) affects 1 in 5 women and is strongly linked to increased birth weight, childhood/adolescent obesity, life-long metabolic and inflammatory disorders, and childhood neuropsychiatric disorders. There remains a critical unmet need for developing a safe and effective non-pharmacological approach for attenuating metabolic inflammation and ameliorating the adverse effects of MO on offspring health that originate in utero and extend into the lactational period. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a diet-derived natural food supplement with anti-inflammatory properties that, in humans and mice, improves metabolism and exerts potent immunoregulatory effects. Researchers' central hypothesis is that PQQ administration during MO pregnancy 1) improves maternal metabolic and inflammatory indices, 2) improves utero-placental blood flow and ameliorates placental maladaptation (oxidative stress, hypoxia, inflammation and fatty acid transporter expression) and 3) reduces neonatal adiposity.
The purpose of this research is to compare two healthy diet styles during pregnancy. Sixty pregnant women between 8 and 16 weeks will participate. Participates will be randomly assigned (like flipping a coin) to either receive routine healthy diet advice and counseling, or to receive advice and counseling for the Mediterranean style diet. Our current routine healthy diet program follows the recommendations provided by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). It recommends the consumption of grains, fruits, vegetables, protein foods, and dairy foods during pregnancy. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is a well-known healthy diet that consists of a large amount of plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts with olive oil as the principal source of fat. Dairy, fish, and poultry are consumed in moderation and red meat only eaten occasionally. Throughout their pregnancy, participants will receive free food and be assessed to determine how will they are following to the diet plan they were randomized to.
Maternal iron deficiency anemia is associated with maternal and infant mortality, spontaneous preterm birth, maternal postpartum hemorrhage, and neurocognitive defects in the neonate. Therefore, preventing maternal iron deficiency anemia in at-risk women is critical. Obese pregnant women have greater systemic inflammation and circulating hepcidin levels compared to nonobese pregnant women. This phenotype implies obese pregnant women have decreased iron bioavailability and may be less responsive to oral iron supplementation because hepcidin is a negative regulator of dietary iron absorption, suggesting alternative interventions are needed to optimize their iron status in pregnancy. There is increasing evidence that consuming the oral bovine lactoferrin (bLf) can enhance dietary iron absorption by promoting an anti-inflammatory immune response and hepcidin suppression, indicating this intervention may be beneficial to pregnant obese women at risk for iron deficiency anemia. The primary goal of this study is to test the feasibility and acceptability of this low-cost, safe, innovative approach to optimizing maternal iron status in obese women at risk of iron deficiency anemia (Hb 11.0 - 12.0 g/dL (first trimester)/10.5 - 11.5 g/dL (second trimester) for non-Black women and 10.2 - 11.2 g/dL (first trimester)/9.7 -- 10.7 g/dL (second trimester) for Black women) from 15-20 weeks of gestation (WG) until the time of labor. The investigators will explore effects on maternal and neonatal iron status and Hb and changes to maternal systemic inflammation and circulating hepcidin. This study is an essential first step toward evaluating if daily oral bLf is an efficacious, safe, inexpensive, and scalable clinical strategy for the prevention of maternal iron deficiency anemia and its related complications in at-risk women.
The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of ultrasound in the first trimester, assess the completion rate of ultrasounds for fetal anatomy in the first trimester compared to completion rates of ultrasounds for fetal anatomy in the second trimester and to assess the completion rate of the combination of one ultrasound in the first trimester and one in the second trimesters compared to the individual completion rates of both evaluations in obese pregnant women.
Moms Are Worth It is a lifestyle behavior intervention study aims to prevent excessive gestational weight gain in overweight or obese pregnant women through promotion of the stress management, healthy eating, and physical activity. Eligible women will be randomly assigned to a usual care or an intervention plus usual care group. The intervention will last 20 weeks and will be delivered via weekly web and individual health coaching session (10 of them)
Obesity before and during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk for a number of obstetric and metabolic complications in women and their offspring. Of particular importance, obese women have a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. In addition, obese women have larger offspring who have a higher risk for the development of obesity and diabetes; both largely attributed to higher maternal glycemia and glucose intolerance during pregnancy. Thus, identifying rehabilitative interventions that improve maternal and offspring metabolic and cardiovascular health in obese pregnancy are critical and have immediate and generational impact. Resistance and aerobic exercise training is a clinical staple for improving musculoskeletal, metabolic and cardiovascular health in non-gravid adolescents and adults with obesity however little is known regarding the effects of exercise during obese pregnancy. This study proposes to collect preliminary data on the independent effects of acute aerobic and resistance rehabilitative exercise on glucose metabolism and vascular function during pregnancy in n=15 obese women in order to inform a large, multisite clinical trial examining the acute and chronic effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on glucose metabolism and vascular function in normal weight, overweight and obese women during pregnancy.
Given that morbid obesity has been strongly associated with obstetric, neonatal and anesthetic complications, and that scarce reports have evaluated anesthetic and obstetric outcomes after cesarean delivery in morbidly obese patients; This study retrospectively analyzed anesthetic, obstetric and neonatal outcomes in morbidly obese pregnant patients who underwent cesarean delivery at Augusta University Medical Center, during a 2-year period (2015-2016).
Emergency data suggest 17OHP-C may be less efficacious in obese women. Since obesity is associated with lower levels of plasma 17OHP-C, the investigator hypothesize that higher doses of 17OHP-C may help to prevent spontaneous PTB among obese women. The study aims to compare the pharmacokinetics of 17 OHP-C in obese compared with non-obese women.
This will be a randomization of two groups of obese pregnant women into early screening for diabetes mellitus at the time of their first or subsequent prenatal visits before 20 weeks of gestation versus standard time of screening for diabetes at 24 - 28 weeks as it is done for all pregnant women. The perinatal outcomes between the two groups will be compared to determine whether early screening for diabetes in all obese pregnant women has a clinical merit or significant.
The purpose of this study is to devise and pilot a BMI-based prenatal vitamin for obese pregnant women. Currently, all pregnant women, regardless of body mass index, take the same prenatal vitamin. The investigators have found that obese pregnant women have higher levels of inflammation and oxidative stress, and a concomitant depletion of specific antioxidant micronutrients. The investigators have also found, in an animal model, that decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress during obese pregnancy was associated with improved offspring outcomes. Here the investigators aim to understand whether a BMI-based prenatal vitamin is effective in decreasing markers of inflammation and oxidative stress by raising concentrations of antioxidant micronutrients and in pregnancies complicated by obesity.
The purpose of this study is to measure energy intake and energy expenditure during and after pregnancy. The investigators hypothesize that obese pregnant women with weight gain above the Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines, 'High Gainers', will have increased energy intake but no evidence for changes in energy expenditure after adjustment for the weight gained when compared to women with appropriate gestational weight gain, 'Normal Gainers'. Additionally, the investigators will measure the babies born to the pregnant women enrolled in MomEE at one time point before 10 days of life.
The overall goal of this randomized controlled trial is to test the efficacy of a culturally and linguistically modified, individually tailored lifestyle intervention to reduce excess gestational weight gain (GWG), increase postpartum weight loss, and improve maternal metabolic status among overweight/obese Hispanic women.
This project will test a novel lifestyle intervention to help overweight and obese socioeconomically disadvantaged African American women achieve healthy weight control during and after pregnancy and improve the health of their offspring. The treatment will be given through an existing national home visiting program, Parents As Teachers (PAT), which will facilitate sustainability and nationwide dissemination, if effective. We hypothesize that compared with standard PAT monitoring and counseling (PAT), women randomized to the lifestyle intervention program (PAT+) will have a lower percentage who exceed Institute of Medicine recommendations for gestational weight gain.
Women with excess adiposity while pregnant are more likely to develop gestational diabetes and high blood pressure during pregnancy than women of healthy weights. This may occur because overweight and obese pregnant women are less sensitive to insulin and have more inflammation than pregnant women of healthy weights. This study will examine the effect of a nutritional supplement, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on improving insulin sensitivity and lessening inflammation in overweight and obese pregnant women.
The aim of this prospective randomized study is the prevention of excessive weight gain in obese pregnant women. The study will compare perinatal outcomes of obese pregnant women treated in the traditional way to outcomes of nutritionally monitored obese pregnant women and evaluate a preliminary behavioral model applicable to the general practice of obstetrics.
A screening modality to help categorize obese pregnant women as high or low probability for heart failure would be helpful in the evaluation of the obese pregnant women with dyspnea. Outside of pregnancy, measurement of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is recommended in the evaluation of acute dyspnea and in the diagnosis of heart failure. During pregnancy, elevated BNP has been associated with adverse cardiovascular events, while normal BNP levels have been observed in healthy pregnancies. While BNP levels outside of pregnancy have been shown to be lower in obese patients variations in BNP levels by body mass index (BMI) in pregnancy have not been studied. Before BNP can be deemed a reliable screening test for heart failure in obese pregnant women, normal BNP values in the setting of obesity and pregnancy need to be established. We therefore propose the following specific aims: Objective 1: Compare mean plasma NT-proBNP levels in the third trimester, immediately postpartum, and at 4-6 weeks postpartum between obese pregnant women without cardiovascular disease and non-obese pregnant women without cardiovascular disease. We hypothesize that mean plasma NT-proBNP levels in obese pregnant women without pre-existing cardiovascular disease will be significantly lower than levels in non-obese pregnant women. Objective 2: Assess whether plasma NT-proBNP levels in pregnancy correlate with BMI. We hypothesize that there will be an inverse correlation between plasma NT-proBNP levels and BMI in our pregnant cohort similar to that seen outside of pregnancy.
The purpose of the Preconception and Pregnancy Obesity Treatment and Prevention Among Women with A History of Depression preliminary study is to provide a lifestyle intervention for women with a history of depression who are trying to conceive or are pregnant in order to prevent excessive pre-pregnancy weights, avoid excessive gestational weight gain, and to improve other markers of metabolic health. The treatment program consists of 10 private sessions with a trained clinician at no cost to participants.
The purpose of this study is to better understand how sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder in which a person has one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while sleeping, may affect pregnancy and to determine the effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), a treatment that uses mild air pressure to keep the airways open during sleep, for pregnant women with sleep apnea.
Specific Aim 1: To test the hypothesis that early GDM screening between 14-18 weeks in obese women (body mass index ≥30.0) will result in improved perinatal outcomes. Specific Aim 2: To test the hypothesis that a lower diagnostic threshold for GDM at 14-18 weeks will result in improved detection of GDM and reduce the need for third-trimester testing. Specific Aim 3: To test the hypothesis that 1,5-anhydroglucitol, a sensitive marker of hyperglycemia, can be used as a simple and sensitive serum test for GDM in the obese population.
Obesity is becoming more common and disproportionately affects the younger generation, the poor and certain ethnic groups. Nearly 50% of reproductive aged women are obese or overweight. Obesity during pregnancy leads to higher rates of hypertensive disorders, stillbirth, less successful breastfeeding, obesity in their offspring, postpartum depression, and higher weight retention postpartum. Dietary counseling can prevent excessive maternal weight gain and is more effective than activity-based interventions. The two objectives of this study are 1) to use community-based techniques to improve dietary counseling for high risk women and 2) to randomize obese women to dietary counseling at Truman Medical Center and measure their success. The hypothesis is that dietary interventions can successfully be tailored for high risk women and that excessive weight gain during pregnancy can be avoided.
The purpose of the study is to determine if a low glycemic load diet reduces the gain of body fat and insulin resistance during the last half of pregnancy in obese women.
Randomized, double-blind placebo controlled trial of fish oil to decrease inflammation in pregnancy.
Obesity increases the risk of pregnancy complications, including puerperal infections and cesarean delivery, and risk rises with increasing body mass index (BMI). Since obese women are more likely to have comorbidities that would necessitate delivery prior to their due date (i.e. prior to 40 weeks gestation), and class III obesity specifically is an indication for delivery by 39 weeks, these patients have a high rate of labor induction. In nulliparous women from the general population (obese and non-obese), labor induction at 39 weeks (compared to expectant management) is associated with less maternal morbidity and a lower cesarean rate. Researchers previously conducted a pilot randomized placebo-controlled trial in obese, nulliparous women undergoing labor induction at term and found that the cesarean delivery rate was lower in women who received a prophylactic antibiotic regimen during labor compared with those who received the placebo. Researchers proposed multi-center trial aims to test this hypothesis in a large sample with adequate power to determine whether prophylactic antibiotics during labor are associated with a decrease in the rate of cesarean delivery in term, nulliparous, obese women. If the findings from the pilot trial are confirmed, this would represent a novel intervention to decrease the cesarean delivery rate in a subset of women at highest risk for cesarean-related complications.
Black adolescents who are pregnant represent a high-risk and understudied perinatal population in health research. Adolescent pregnancy (\<20 years) is disproportionately prevalent among Blacks compared with Whites and is a prominent risk factor for obesity. Fortunately, metabolic consequences of increasing physical activity coupled with minimal sedentary time can mitigate biological imperils and behavioral interventions targeting perinatal populations have demonstrated efficacy for this approach. Intervention studies to promote physical activity and reduce sedentarism among Black, perinatal adolescents in disadvantaged, rural settings may be a promising strategy to prevent obesity and reduce disparities. In the proposed study, investigators will assess the feasibility and acceptability of #BabyLetsMove, a mobile health intervention targeting three behavioral goals: (1) limit TV time to less than 2 hours a day (sedentary behavior); (2) take 10,000 steps or more per day (physical activity); and (3) do 20 minutes or more of structured activity like prenatal yoga or dance videos per day (exercise). In the #BabyLetsMove feasibility trial investigators aim to conduct a single-arm, 4-week pilot with 20 Black adolescents (15- to 19-years) enrolled in Mississippi's Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to test the intervention's feasibility and acceptability. Participants will receive one text message per day for 4-weeks targeting behavior change strategies and two health coaching sessions via mobile phone; an introduction session in week one and a problem-solving session in week three. Investigators will also use qualitative interviewing with additional adolescents (n=20) to solicit user feedback regarding the acceptability of intervention content and materials. Finally, in preparation for a pilot study using an effectiveness-implementation hybrid study design, investigators will conduct a pre-implementation evaluation using quantitative surveying (n=6 surveys) with WIC providers (n=60) to better under the culture and climate of WIC. Investigators hypothesize the #BabyLetsMove intervention will be acceptable to adolescents and a future pilot randomized controlled trial will be feasible. Investigators also anticipate identifying modifiable barriers and facilitators to implementing the intervention through WIC, which will help to design an implementation strategy with a high likelihood for uptake by WIC.
The purpose of this study is to determine if an organized, consistent program of dietary and lifestyle counseling will prevent excessive gestational weight gain.
The purpose of this study is to examine whether we can use social networks to spread health information and health behaviors during pregnancy to prevent excessive gestational weight gain.
Obesity is a major risk factor for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). The underlying mechanisms are largely unclear, but maternal vascular endothelial dysfunction is likely involved. Endothelial dysfunction in HDP could be attributed to 1) alterations in the L-arginine/nitric oxide (NO) pathway, and 2) an increase in endothelin-1 (ET-1). Additionally, augmented sympathetic vasoconstriction may also contribute to HDP. Chronic (repeated) whole-body heat exposure has been shown to increase NO bioavailability, decrease ET-1, and cause functional and structural adaptations in the vasculature. All these can improve vascular function, attenuate sympathetic (re)activity, lower blood pressure (BP), and reduce cardiovascular risk in non-pregnant individuals. Whether this is also true after regional (leg) heating in high-risk pregnant women is unknown. The investigators' central hypothesis is that chronic leg heating will be effective in improving vascular endothelial function and attenuating sympathetic vasoconstriction, leading to a reduction of the risk for HDP in pregnant women with obesity. The overarching goal of this proposal is to determine the vascular and neural effects of chronic leg heating in obese pregnancy. The study team plans to enroll pregnant women with obesity between 12-14 weeks of gestation and randomly assign them to either an intervention group or a control group (1:1 ratio). Participants in the intervention group will perform 16 weeks of home-based leg heating using a portable sauna blanket up to the hip (temperature of the blanket will be set at 65°C, 4 times/week, 45 min/session), whereas women in the control group will set the temperature of the blanket at 35°C at the same frequency and duration. Participants will be evaluated at baseline and then at 28-30 weeks of gestation. Aim 1 will determine the effects of chronic leg heating on maternal vascular function and surrogate markers of HDP. Aim 2 will determine the effects of chronic leg heating on sympathetic vasoconstriction and BP. Findings from this project will provide insight on the extent and potential mechanisms of how chronic leg heating works for improving vascular endothelial function and sympathetic vasoconstriction in pregnant women with obesity. Results obtained will set a foundation for future large multicenter clinical trials to determine the efficacy and generalizability of home-based leg heat therapy as a safe, ease-of-use, cost-effective, and non-drug approach for reducing the risk of HDP.
The purposes of this project are 1) to compare the impact of maternal obesity versus excessive gestational weight gain on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in obese and non-obese women; 2) to investigate the mechanism(s) by which obesity and OSA increase cardiovascular risk during pregnancy; and 3) to identify biomarker(s) for obesity-related OSA in pregnant women.
Pregnant patients with obesity are more likely to undergo induction of labor and have a higher risk of failed induction compared to patients with normal weight. The association between maternal obesity and labor dysfunction leading to cesarean delivery is poorly understood. Oxytocin is the mostly common medication used in induction of labor, yet optimal dosing of this medication is unknown. Studies have suggested that patients with obesity may be less responsive to oxytocin. This trial will compare a high and low dose oxytocin dosing regimen for the induction of labor in women with obesity.
Healthy for Two, Healthy for You (H42/H4U) is an innovative evidence-based pregnancy/postpartum health coach intervention that is remotely-delivered (phone coaching using motivational interviewing, web-based platform, mobile phone behavioral tracking). The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to embed H42/H4U into Johns Hopkins prenatal care clinics that serve a racially and economically diverse population, leveraging existing staff as trained health coaches to test its effectiveness and implementation. The investigators hypothesize that women in the H42/H4U arm will have lower gestational weight gain and lower rates of gestational diabetes, without an increase in low birth weight infants, and that implementation into the investigators' prenatal care clinics will be feasible and scalable.