The Zambian Preterm Birth Prevention Study (ZAPPS): Cohort characteristics at enrollment

• DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.12820.3
• Publication Date: 2019-07-15T10:15:07Z
• Authors: Marcela C. Castillo; Nurain M. Fuseini; Katelyn Rittenhouse; Joan T. Price; Bethany L. Freeman; Humphrey Mwape; Jennifer Winston; Ntazana Sindano; Courtney Baruch-G...; Benjamin H. Chi; Margaret P. Kasaro; James A. Litch; Jeffrey S. A. Str...; Bellington Vwalika
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 5. Gender equality; 10. No inequality; Research Article; 3. Good health

<ns4:p><ns4:bold>Background: </ns4:bold>Sub-Saharan Africa bears a disproportionate burden of preterm birth and other adverse outcomes. A better understanding the demographic, clinical, biologic underpinnings these outcomes is urgently needed to plan interventions inform new discovery. </ns4:p><ns4:p> <ns4:bold>Methods: </ns4:bold>The Zambian Preterm Birth Prevention Study (ZAPPS) prospective observational cohort established at Women Newborn Hospital (WNH) in Lusaka, Zambia. We recruit pregnant women from district health centers WNH offer ultrasound examination determine eligibility. Participants receive routine obstetrical care, lab testing, midtrimester cervical length measurement, serial fetal growth monitoring. At delivery, we assess gestational age, birthweight, vital status, sex assign delivery phenotype. collect blood, urine, vaginal swab specimens scheduled visits store them an on-site biorepository. In September 2017, enrollment ZAPPS Phase 1—the subject this report—was completed. 2, which limited HIV-uninfected women, reopened January 2018. <ns4:bold>Results: </ns4:bold>Between August 2015 screened 1784 whom 1450 (81.2%) met inclusion criteria were enrolled. The median age was 27 years (IQR 23–32) 16 weeks 13–18). Among with previous pregnancy (n=1042), 19% (n=194) reported prior miscarriage. parous (n=992), 41% (n=411) 14% (n=126) stillbirth. HIV seroprevalence 24%.</ns4:p><ns4:p> <ns4:bold>Discussion: </ns4:bold>We have large newborns characterize determinants Our overarching goal elucidate biological mechanisms effort identify strategies for early detection prevention hope that findings will help guide future studies, clinical policy.</ns4:p>