Clinical Trial: Studying Fetal Breathing Patterns
Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Observational
Official Title: Classification of Fetal Breathing Patterns in the Maturing Upper Airway: Spectral Waveform Analysis of Amniotic Fluid Flow Dynamics in Normal Development, Polyhydramnios,
Brief Summary:
Some babies have difficulty breathing, sucking, and swallowing at birth. The purpose of this study is to determine (before birth) the variables that will predict whether a newborn will experience these problems.
Study participants will be pregnant women with a single fetus who are 18 years or older and who are scheduled to receive a standard prenatal ultrasound. Researchers will use the ultrasound to observe fetal motions associated with breathing, sucking, and swallowing on digital videotape. They will then review these tapes and take measurements that will help them document how breathing and swallowing develop.
Detailed Summary:
The aerodigestive tract is a complex system of integrated anatomical structures supporting ingestive and respiratory functions. The developmental origins of this system begin in utero where the prenatal growth of morphologic structures and their associated emerging behaviors form key physiologic foundations necessary to sustain life at birth. The quality of aerodigestive development is thus inextricably related to both the structural integrity of its growing anatomy and the emergence of processes that promote aerodigestive functioning. Our past research (NIH CC-00-99; NNMC #B99-089) focused specifically on emerging oropharyngeal, and laryngeal movements of neonatal swallowing and phonation. Through innovative sonographic techniques, this work documented ingestive development in the living fetus; however, respiratory aspects were not explored. Intuitively, disruptions to the fetal-maternal environment also influence respiratory development and, thus an arrest, disorder, or delay in maturation of upper airway mechanisms may directly affect subsequent postnatal respiratory function. Thus, the purposes of this protocol are to: 1) continue exploration of human fetal development by elucidating the association between upper airway growth and emerging prenatal respiratory function and, 2) determine identifiable patterns of normal respiratory maturation that may provide indicators of postnatal airway performance.
This initiative is based on the premise that amniotic fluid volumes are influenced by the integrity of upper airway mechanisms and thus are important for aerodigestive-related development and fetal well being. In a collaborative effort with National Naval Medical Center, this project will use a novel standardized 4-axis sonographic examination to quantify growth and respiratory-related fluid flow mechanics in the upper airway of the living human fetus. The use of this non
Sponsor: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Current Primary Outcome:
Original Primary Outcome:
Current Secondary Outcome:
Original Secondary Outcome:
Information By: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
Dates:
Date Received: August 7, 2003
Date Started: August 5, 2003
Date Completion: March 3, 2008
Last Updated: January 24, 2017
Last Verified: March 3, 2008
