Kenneth J. Leveno, M.D.

Don McIntire, Ph.D.

Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-fetal Medicine

A tutorial in clinical trials and observational studies in maternal-fetal medicine

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division is actively involved in several national and local research projects that include both randomized trials as well as observational studies. To this end we have an active research team that meets several times a week. The team includes a variety of disciplines - to include maternal-fetal medicine, obstetrical anesthesiology, radiology, perinatal pathology, neurology, urogynecology and others.

Below is a partial list of topics with on-going data sets. The type of study is shown in parenthesis:

Childbirth related pelvic floor injury. (RCT)
Magnesium sulfate in the prevention of fetal neurologic injury of Corticosteroids for fetal lung maturation. (RCT)
Registry of cesarean births. (Observational)
Intrapartum fetal oximetry. (RCT)
Effects of epilepsy on maternal-fetal outcomes. (Observational)
Prolonged pregnancy. (Observational)
Gestational diabetes. (Observational)
Chronic hypertension. (Observational)
Effects of epidural analgesia on labor. (RCT)
Progesterone for prevention of preterm birth. (RCT)
Hyperemesis gravidarum. (RCT)
Violence in pregnancy. (Observational)
Inpatient vs. outpatient management of women at risk for preterm delivery. (RCT)
Strategies in the use of magnesium sulfate for prevention of preeclampsia. (Observational)
A population based study of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy. (Observational)

The prospective student will join the maternal-fetal medicine clinical research team for a one-year. Dr. Leveno will mentor the student, assisted by Don McIntire, Ph.D.. Dr. McIntire is a biostatistician who also manages our computer data system. The objectives will include giving the student a superb perspective of nationally relevant clinical research in maternal-fetal medicine, as well as training in the clinical trials tools necessary to conduct high-level clinical research.