Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and Society of
Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM).
The current report summarizes recommendations for
addressing specific research strategies, methodologies and
approaches needed to stimulate and implement the prioritized
prematurity research agenda. These recommendations
emphasize the most promising experimental
paradigms to elucidate the complex contributions of
genetic and environmental influences. Research on PTB
needs to: (1) better define the etiologic mechanisms
responsible for PTB; (2) identify biomarkers for PTB to
improve clinical risk assessment; (3) develop clinical
interventions that lead to reduction in rates of PTB; and
(4) eliminate disparities in PTB among racial/ethnic
groups in the United States. Genetics is a relatively new
aspect of prematurity research that brings an exciting
array of possibilities for new avenues of investigation
through new technologies. Ultimately, translating the findings
from genetic research intomodification of risk for PTB
for individuals and for communities will need to take into
account the effects of complex environmental influences.
By establishing a national emphasis on strategies that
have proven successful for other complex common
disorders, the Foundation hopes to attract investigators
to this important arena, including some not previously
vested in prematurity research. The March of Dimes thus
seeks to inspire novel innovative approaches to address
the challenges inherent in translating science into clinical
practice.Asecond March of Dimes report on prematurity
will be forthcoming to address broader research topics
within public, provider and health care delivery issues,
such as the impact of education, clinical management,
racial/ethnic disparities, stress, and behavioral modifications,
particularly as they impact the large group of
moderately premature infants (32-36 weeks’ gestation).