Research Units | Index

Following is a list of the current protocols proposed by each research unit, including the country where the study will take place, along with the U.S. and foreign principal investigators, and a brief description of the study:

• DCC - RTI Data & Coordinating Center
  

  RTI serves as the Data Coordinating Center (DCC) for the Network and is responsible for central training in research methods, statistical leadership, data collection and management including tracking systems, study communications and logistics, and assisting with materials development.

• GN 1 - Uruguay/Argentina: Improving Perinatal Care in Latin America
  
  Pierre Buekens, M.D., Ph.D. and José Belizan, M.D.

  A cluster-randomized, controlled trial of a behavioral intervention to increase the use of two evidence-based birth practices: the selective use of episiotomies; and active management of the third stage of labor.

• GN 2 - Democratic Republic of Congo: Safe Pregnancy Through Malaria Control in Democratic Republic of the Congo
  
  Carl Bose , M.D. and Antoinette Tshefu, M.D.

  Three separate protocols will be implemented in two large antenatal clinics in the Democratic Republic of Congo in order to improve birth outcomes by developing a safe and efficacious Intermittent Preventive Therapy (IPT) to prevent malaria in pregnant women. Protocol 1 is an inpatient study of the standard adult dose of orally-administered, 200 mg, single dose artesunate to assess pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in parasitemic pregnant women during the second and third trimester of pregnancy vs.: (1) the same women three months postpartum, and (2) parasitemic non-pregnant women. Protocol 2 is a randomized clinical trial of safety and efficacy of artesunate/mefloquine combinations in pregnant women. Protocol 3 is a randomized clinical trial of selective presumptive artesunate/mefloquine combination therapy vs. SP to improve pregnancy outcomes.

• GN 3 - Zambia: Neonatal Resuscitation in Developing Countries
  
  Wally Carlo, M.D. and Elwyn Chomba, MBChB, DCH, MRCP

  Asphyxia is a leading cause of neonatal death in Zambia. This cluster-randomized, controlled trial conducted at clinics in several cities in Zambia will determine whether training staff in both the American Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Resuscitation Program and the World Health Organization (WHO) Basic Newborn Care Program — compared to training staff in the WHO program alone — will reduce neonatal mortality at 28 days.

• GN 6 - Guatemala/Chile: Agriculture, Maternal-Infant Nutrition and Public Health – Madres de Maiz (Mothers of Maize) Project
  
  Michael Hambidge, M.D. and Manolo Mazariegos, M.D.

  This study is being carried out in the community of Comalapa in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. The objectives of this study are:

  1. To determine if the substitution of a low phytic acid maize for a traditional maize that habitually provides the major food staple from preconception until 12 months postpartum will increase mean birth weight and reduce the incidence of iron and/or zinc deficiency–linked maternal, fetal, and/or infant morbidity and/or impaired growth;
  2. To determine if a small zinc supplement administered to infants from ages 6 to 12 months whose major food staple is breast milk will accelerate growth and development and decrease infectious disease morbidity.

• GN 8 - India: Misoprostol Use for the Prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage
  
  Richard Derman, M.D., M.P.H. and Bhalchandra Kodkany, M.D., M.B.B.S.

  A randomized, placebo-controlled trial testing the hypothesis that the administration of Misoprostol to women after out-of-hospital delivery can reduce postpartum hemorrhage and related adverse outcomes.

• GN 9 - Pakistan: Reduction of Infection Related Perinatal Mortality
  
  Robert Goldenberg, M.D. and Omrana Pasha, M.D.

  This study is evaluating whether bacterial vaginosis (BV) and other risk factors (e.g., dental health, nutritional status, psychological, social, and health-care-seeking behaviors) are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes; namely perinatal mortality, neonatal mortality, low birth weight, spontaneous preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes, and histological chorioamnionitis. This site is also in the planning stages of a randomized, controlled trial.

• GN 11 - India - Common Protocol(s)
  
  Patricia L Hibberd, M.D., Ph.D and Archana Patel, M.D., D.N.B., M.S.C.E.

  Missing study description.

• GN 12 - Kenya - Common Protocol(s)
  
  Ed Liechty, M.D. and Fabian Esamai, MBChB, MMed, PhD

  Missing study description.