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N-acetylcysteine in Intra-amniotic Infection/Inflammation

Information source: Yale University
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on August 23, 2015
Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.

Condition(s) targeted: Labor, Premature; Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes; Infection; Inflammation; Chorioamnionitis

Intervention: amniocentesis (Procedure); N-acetylcysteine or placebo (Drug)

Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2

Status: Recruiting

Sponsored by: Yale University

Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
Catalin S Buhimschi, MD, Principal Investigator, Affiliation: Yale University

Overall contact:
Catalin S Buhimschi, MD, Phone: 203-785-4536, Email: catalin.buhimschi@yale.edu

Summary

The aim of the study is to determine if N-acetylcysteine (a potent free radical scavenger) prevents the occurrence of adverse neonatal outcomes in preterm deliveries complicated by infection associated with preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). The working hypothesis is that in pregnancies complicated by intra-amniotic infection or inflammation, N-acetylcysteine protects the fetus by preventing the development, or decreasing the intensity and/or progression of the fetal inflammatory syndrome.

Clinical Details

Official title: Effect of N-acetylcysteine in Preventing Adverse Neonatal Outcomes in Women With Intra-amniotic Infection/Inflammation

Study design: Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Primary outcome: early onset neonatal sepsis

Secondary outcome:

maternal and umbilical cord plasma N-acetylcysteine levels

maternal and umbilical cord plasma antioxidant capacity

maternal and umbilical cord blood glutathione concentration

umbilical cord levels of inflammatory cytokine concentrations

funisitis grades

other neonatal outcomes (respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, late-onset sepsis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia)

Detailed description: Despite extensive research, the etiology of most preterm births remains unknown. There are significant fetal consequences associated with preterm birth, which include necrotizing enterocolitis, fetal respiratory distress and intra-ventricular hemorrhage. Perinatal mortality is about 44%, 11% and 5% when deliveries occur between 25-28 weeks, 29-32 weeks and 33-34 weeks, respectively. While for many years, it was assumed that the cause of the high morbidity associated with prematurity was the birth of a neonate with a restricted adaptive capacity, it has also been suggested that part of the high perinatal morbidity was the consequence of adverse processes affecting the fetus in utero, rather than of prematurity per se. Intra-amniotic inflammation present in utero early in gestation may trigger the cascade of events leading to preterm birth (i. e. rupture of membranes, cervical ripening, uterine contractions) and provide an intrauterine milieu which is unfavorable or even harmful to the fetus. Most living organisms have developed well-integrated, antioxidant defenses to scavenge free radicals and control their intracellular concentration. A loss of balance between free radicals and antioxidants (the redox balance) is one mechanism of cell injury in diseases associated with inflammation. N-acetylcysteine is an approved anti-oxidant medication drug used during pregnancy for treatment of mothers with acetaminophen (Tylenol) toxicity. N-acetylcysteine has been safely administered during pregnancy in over 100 women who overdosed with Tylenol and to preterm and healthy term newborns for other purposes. It is a goal of our trial to prevent free radical formation by administering N-acetylcysteine and to further study whether the outcome of preterm deliveries will improve compared to a control group which will not receive placebo infusion

Eligibility

Minimum age: 18 Years. Maximum age: N/A. Gender(s): Female.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

- Women admitted onto the Labor and Birth Ward or Maternal Special Care Units of the

Yale New Haven Hospital who have a clinically indicated amniocentesis which demonstrates presence of intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation. Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients that require immediate intervention or close medical supervision (cardiac

and renal disease, congestive heart failure, history of asthma), maternal infection (HIV, hepatitis B or C), cord prolapse, known fetal malformation, allergic reactions to N-acetylcysteine, preeclampsia

Locations and Contacts

Catalin S Buhimschi, MD, Phone: 203-785-4536, Email: catalin.buhimschi@yale.edu

Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United States; Recruiting
Additional Information

Yale University Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences

Preterm birth risk quickly evaluated by proteomic profiling

Starting date: October 2006
Last updated: July 18, 2012

Page last updated: August 23, 2015

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