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Protocol 03-CH-0258: Classification of Fetal Breathing Patterns in the Maturing Upper Airway: Respiratory-Ingestive Spectral Waveform Analysis of Amniotic Fluid Flow Dynamics in Normal Development, Polyhydramnios, and Oligohydramnios.

The aerodigestive tract is a complex system of integrated anatomical structures supporting ingestive, oral motor and respiratory functions. The developmental origins of this system begin in utero where the prenatal growth of morphologic structures and their associated emerging behaviors form key physiologic foundations necessary to sustain life at birth.

The purposes of this protocol are to:
  1. Advance understanding of human development by elucidating the association between upper airway growth and emerging prenatal respiratory function and,
  2. Determine identifiable patterns of normal respiratory maturation as indicators of postnatal airway performance,
  3. Elucidate biomechanical events in the development of the pulmonary, aerodigestive and oral motor systems, and
  4. Integrate state-of-the-art sonongraphic technologies in the evaluation of motor performance, organ development, behavioral mapping, and computer-aided diagnostic evaluation of those at risk for prematurity and physical disability.
Female participants (18 years and over) with singleton pregnancies referred to our collaborating partner at the National Naval Medical Center, Prenatal Assessment Center where we apply novel standardized ultrasonographic procedures using 3D-4D and spectral Doppler imaging to quantify growth, evaluate emergence of oral motor skills, document motor behaviors and quantify respiratory-related fluid flow mechanics in the upper airway of the fetus.

The collected data are used to document organ growth, discriminate physiologic function, and provide estimates of amniotic fluid flow volumes and respiratory kinematics associated with fetal breathing processes. These methods provide a means to explore how deviations during fetal development may be associated with morbidity and mortality and, the predictive utility of prenatal indices of impaired growth and function in understanding neonatal physical disabilities.

For more information, search 03-CH-0258 under http://www.clinicaltrials.gov

 
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Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7511