Stress Phenotypes and Preterm Birth: Immune and Energetic Cellular Dysregulation and the Preventive Effect of Social Support
Columbia University
Summary
Pregnancy ends in preterm birth (PTB) for approximately 1 in 10 women, though more often for Non-Hispanic Black women, 14.12% PTB rate, compared to 9.09% for Non-Hispanic White women. Psychosocial stress and childhood trauma each are associated with risk for PTB and PTB has an intergenerational impact: mothers born preterm are more likely to give birth preterm, especially amongst Black women. In this project, we will study mitochondria, which contain their own genome, the mitochondria DNA, and are inherited from the mother, as they represent a potential intersection point between psychosocial experiences and their biological embedding in underlying disease outcomes such as PTB
Description
At odds with common assumptions - and hope, pregnancy ends in preterm birth (PTB) for approximately 1 in 10 women. Yearly PTB affects 15 million infants worldwide and 386,580 in the United States. PTB is the leading cause of global, and U.S., neonatal mortality and morbidity and is associated with future risk for poor physical (higher blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, wheeze/asthma) and mental (ADHD, IQ decrements) health. Maternal health is not spared: women who deliver preterm are at an increased risk for depression, hypertension, cardiovascular and renal disease later in life. In the…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria * Pregnant women 18 years of age or older (based on self-report) * Not currently smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking drugs (based on self-report) * Planning to deliver at CUIMC/NYP (based on self-report) * In the first or second trimester of pregnancy (prior to 28 weeks gestation) (based on self-report of estimated date of delivery) Exclusion Criteria * Multi-fetal pregnancy (based on self-report) * Taking medications regularly that affect the cardiovascular and inflammatory systems, including NSAIDS and other anti-inflammatories, α blockers, β blockers, corticosteroids,…
Interventions
- OtherCognitive Challenge
Cognitive challenge delivered via computer.
Location
- Columbia University Irving Medical CenterNew York, New York