NICHD Resources
- National Child and Maternal Health Education Program (NCMHEP)
NCMHEP provides a forum for reviewing, translating, and disseminating new research on maternal and child health. The program dedicates 12 to 18 months on selected issues such as late preterm birth, and produces related reports and resources. - Prematurity Research at the NIH (PDF – 71 KB)
In 2008, in response to a request from the U.S. House of Representatives, the NICHD prepared a report on prematurity research at the NIH. The report summarizes research on such issues as identifying factors connected with preterm birth, caring for preterm infants, and future research directions. - Pregnancy Research Branch (PRB) Fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine
The NICHD's PRB supports maternal-fetal medicine research and fellowships at the Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University. - Pregnancy and Perinatology Branch (PPB)
The NICHD’s PPB supports research in maternal health, pregnancy, fetal well-being, and other topics, as well as long-term health outcomes associated with pregnancy and with fetal and infant development.- Read the PPB’s 2008 report to the NACHHD Council. (PDF - 1.15 MB)
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Network
Established by the NICHD in 1986 and funded by the PPB, the Network focuses on clinical questions in obstetrics, particularly with respect to the continuing problem of preterm birth. - Neonatal Research Network (NRN)
Formed in 1986, the PPB-supported NRN is a collaborative network of neonatal intensive care units across the United States. The NRN encompasses 18 clinical centers plus a data coordinating center. - Program in Perinatal Research and Obstetrics (PPRO)
NICHD’s PPRO conducts clinical and laboratory research on maternal and fetal diseases causing excessive infant mortality in the United States. The Program focuses on the mechanisms responsible for premature labor and delivery, with particular emphasis on the role of subclinical intrauterine infection and inflammation. - Obstetric-Fetal Pharmacology Research Unit (OPRU) Network
The NICHD’s OPRU Network provides the expert infrastructure needed to test therapeutic drugs during pregnancy. It allows researchers to conduct safe, technically sophisticated, and complex studies that will help clinicians protect women’s health, improve birth outcomes, and reduce infant mortality. - Genomic and Proteomic Network for Preterm Birth Research
This NICHD-funded research network aims to accelerate the pace of preterm birth research by focusing on global genomic and molecular research strategies and to rapidly disseminate the data to the scientific community for secondary analyses. Its projects consist of three collaborative core components: the clinical core, comprising three clinical sites; the analytical core; and the data management, statistics, and informatics core.
Other Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC provides information on reproductive health, including preterm birth. - Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB)
The MCHB of the Health Resources and Services Administration publishes Child Health USA, an annual report detailing the health status of America's children. - Health and Medicine Division (HMD) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
A 2006 HMD consensus report recommended a multidisciplinary research agenda aimed at improving the prediction and prevention of preterm labor. It also addressed the need to increase understanding of the health problems that preterm infants may face. Read the HMD report. - Strong Start Initiative
The Strong Start Initiative, announced in February 2012, aims to reduce the risk of significant complications and long-term health problems for expectant women and infants. This initiative is a joint effort between the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Administration on Children and Families, and non-governmental groups devoted to the health of mothers and newborns. - American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
ACOG provides resources and information on obstetric and gynecological issues, including preterm birth.- Read ACOG’s practice bulletin on assessment of risk factors for preterm birth .
- Read the abstract of ACOG’s practice bulletin on management of preterm labor.
- Access a PowerPoint presentation from ACOG's District 1 titled Elimination of Non-medically Indicated (Elective) Deliveries Before 39 Weeks Gestational Age .
- Read ACOG’s practice bulletin on assessment of risk factors for preterm birth
- Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
The foundation presents data on health topics such as preterm labor by state in the form of maps, graphs, and tables. Access 2010 data on preterm births. - March of Dimes
As part of its agenda to promote healthy babies, March of Dimes presents data, hosts symposia, and provides information on preventing preterm birth. - Maternal and Child Health Library at Georgetown University
This library provides materials on the history of maternal and child health in the United States, including policy papers, reports, conference proceedings, manuals, guidelines, and curricula. - Medscape
Medscape, a service of WebMD, provides educational resources for health professionals. - National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation (NIHCMF)
NIHCMF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the efficiency and quality of America's health care system. It conducts research, policy, and educational activities on a range of health care issues. Access NIHCMF's webinar Preventing Prematurity: Opportunities for Health Plans.
Please note: Links to organizations and information included on this page do not indicate endorsement from the NICHD, NIH, or HHS.
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