Women's Health : Research : Department Research, Grants, & Clinical Trials

Preeclampsia Studies

Pre-Term Labor Studies

Inflammation Studies

Contraceptive Studies

Urogynecology

Oncology Studies

General Obstetrics

Community Grant

General Gynecology

Alterations in the Plasma Proteome of Early-Onset Severe Preeclampsia

CTSA K-12 Scholar

The objective of this study is to:

• Compare the maternal plasma proteomes of early-onset, severe preeclampsia versus healthy controls.
• Compare protein expression and quantification of the maternal plasma proteome at the time of diagnosis of EOS-preeclampsia to the plasma proteome of the same affected subject at 48 hours post delivery.
• Verify the placental expression of differentially expressed of post-translationally modified proteins found in the plasma of women with EOS-preeclampsia.

Christopher Robinson, MD 

Eugene Chang, MD

Early Placental Markers of Preeclampsia

The purpose of this study is to examine substances in the placenta that may increase the risk of preeclampsia. The study will compare the early placental tissue from women who have had normal, full term pregnancies to the placentas of women who have had a pregnancy (pregnancies) complicated by high blood pressure/or preeclampsia.

Mark Alanis, MD

Racial Disparities in Cervical Insufficiency and Cerclage Failure

The objective of this study is to compare the timing and the frequency of Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) and PTB following cerclage placement among African-Americans and Caucasians.

Elizabeth Platz, MD

Progesterone Outreach Project

The primary objective of the Progesterone Outreach Project (POP) is to increase the appropriate administration of 17-p hydroxyprogesterone appropriate (17P) to women in the Lowcountry Perinatal Region (Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Colleton, Georgetown, Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties) with a history of spontaneous preterm birth by aggressive and consistent educational outreach to all Regional obstetrical providers.

Charles Rittenberg, MD

Differential Placental and Decidual Gene Expression to Elucidate the First Trimester Pathophysiologic Mechanisms Leading to Spontaneous Preterm Birth

The purpose of the study is to examine substances in the placenta that may increase the risk of a disease of pregnancy called spontaneous preterm birth.

Establishing the Utility Of Cervilenz as an Inexpensive Device to Detect Short Cervical Length in the Mid-Second Trimester of Pregnancy

The purpose of this study is to develop a receiver operator curve (ROC) for Cervilenz measurements versus TVU measurements in an unselected population of pregnant women at 18 to 24 weeks gestation, in order to select an optimal Cervilenz cutoff for the identification of patients who would benefit from TVU, and to investigate the presence of funneling and its relationship to Cervilenz measurements.

A Novel Approach to the Prevention of Cervical Insufficiency and Preterm Delivery

SCTR Pilot Project

The objective of this study is to build, model and test a novel bifilament polymer to be used for the prevention of cervical insufficiency and preterm birth.

Scott Sullivan, MD

The oncoFISH Cervical Test for Detection of 3q26 Region Gain

The objective of this study is to evaluate the use of the oncoFISH cervical Microscopy Test System, utilizing automated counting of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) signals for the 3q26 region and chromosome enumeration probe (CEP) 7 (the latter as a control) in cervical specimens from patients with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL).  The results of the colposcopical assessment (colposcopy/biopsy) at 12 months for those LSIL patients with initial negative colposcopy/biopsy results will be correlated with the oncoFISH results done at initial LSIL diagnosis. 

Development of a Non-Invasive Test to Detect Intra-Amniotic Infection and Predict Preterm Birth in Women Presenting with Preterm Labor and Intact Membranes

To collect clinical specimens and corresponding clinical data to develop a non-invasive test for detection of intraamniotic infection and prediction of preterm birth in women presenting with preterm labor and intact amniotic membranes.

Risk of Neuroinflammation and Programmed Cognitive Impairment as a Result of In Utero Exposure to Trans-Unsaturated Fatty Acids Through Maternal Diet

SMFM Scholar

The purpose of this study is to identify the toxic fetal effects of maternal exposures to trans fatty acids, a common dietary component of obese women.

Mark Alanis, MD

Inflammation in Early Pregnancy

The purpose of this study is to examine the substances in the placenta that may increase the risk of early delivery (preterm birth).

Margaret Villers, MD

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel Group Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Two Doses of DR-3001 versus Placebo in Women with Overactive Bladder

The purpose of this research is to study the safety and effectiveness of an experimental vaginal ring that administers a medication called oxybutynin for treating overactive bladder

Steven Swift, MD

Hollings Cancer Center Clinical Trials

 
Matthew Kohler, MD 

    
    William Creasman, MD     Jennifer Young, MD   

Rebecca Wineland, MD

Predictors of Successful Induction in Nulliparous Patients at Term

The objective of this study is to identify new biomarkers for the prediction of successful labor induction and to quantify the sensitivity and specificity of these biomarkers.

Elizabeth Unal, MD

The CHIPS (Control of Hypertension In Pregnancy Study) Trial

The overarching hypothesis underlying CHIPS is that ‘less tight’ control may improve uteroplacental perfusion, fetal growth, and through these, fetal/neonatal well-being. We seek to determine whether ‘less tight’ control (target dBP of 100mmHg) vs. ‘tight’ control (target dBP of 85mmHg) of non-severe maternal hypertension will decrease fetal/neonatal risk without increasing maternal risk.

Eugene Chang, MD

Noninvasive Screening for Fetal Aneuploidy: A New Maternal Plasma Marker  

The objective of this study is to collect samples for the purpose of developing a prenatal aneuploid test using circulating cell free fetal (ccff) nucleic acid from blood samples from pregnant women who have a high-risk pregnancy  undergoing invasive prenatal diagnosis by chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and/or genetic amniocentesis. The results of the ccff aneuploidy test will be compared to the chromosomal analysis obtained via CVS or amniocentesis. The secondary objective of this study is to collect samples for the purpose of developing prenatal tests for aneuploidies that are less common than T21.

The National Standard for Normal Fetal Growth

The scope of this investigation is to study the fetal growth pattern in low risk and obese women of various racial/ethnic backgrounds in a longitudinal fashion to examine factors that influence normal fetal growth and perinatal outcomes. The research effort will fill important gaps in our knowledge about fetal growth. It will help identify important risk factors for altered growth and establish links between fetal growth, maternal nutrition, maternal metabolism, and other established maternal risk factors.

Fetal Growth Study Flyer

Roger Newman, MD

Sleep Apnea in Pregnancy

The objective of this study is to determine the incidence of sleep apnea in pregnancy using a validated questionnaire as well as to determine the predominant sleep position of women during pregnancy.  We will also determine whether snoring and sleep apnea results in an increase in the risk of preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm birth.

Identifying Intrauterine Growth Restriction Using Air-Displacement Plethysmography Measurement of Early Postnatal Body Composition

The purpose of this study is to:

• Identify near term fetuses with suspected intrauterine growth restriction based on overall estimated fetal weight less than the 10th %ile, abdominal circumference less than the 5th %ile or abnormal umbilical artery doppler velocimetry.
• Identify which ultrasound parameter used to identify suspected intrauterine growth restriction is most predictive of abnormal fetal body fat accrual based on early postnatal air-displacement plethysmography.
• Identify the relationship between neonatal body fat accrual measurements by air-displacement plethysmography and directly measured neonatal anthropometrics (body weight, length, head and abdominal circumferences)  and derived neonatal anthropometric measurements (body mass indes, ponderal index, and head to abdomen ratios).
• Identify which fetuses undergoing more than one ultrasound examination in the third trimester will have abnormalities of fetal growth velocity over time that is highly predictive of abnormal fetal body fat accrual.
• Identify adverse obstetrical and neonatal outcomes of all enrolled maternal/infant pairs and correlate those morbidities with the neonatal body fat percentage.

Tameeka Law. MD

Investigating Differences in Twin and Triplet Growth

The purpose of this study it to:

• Determine the correlation between the discordance of estimated fetal weight of twins and triplets in utero assessed by ultrasound and the discordance of body composition of the infants after birth assessed by air displacement plethysmography.
• Identify twin or triplet gestations with weight discordance of 20% or more based on in utero ultrasound measurements.As well as identify which ultrasound parameter of weight discordance for twin or triplet gestation is most predictive of abnormal fetal body fat accrual based on early postnatal air-displacement plethysmography.
• Identify adverse obstetrical and neonatal outcomes of all enrolled maternal/infant pairs and correlate those morbidities with the neonatal body fat percentage.
  

Racial Disparity in Maternal and Fetal Exposure to Environmental Contaminants

Center for Health Disparities Research

The Purpose of this study is to:

• Determine the maternal exposure to selected environmental contaminants in cohorts of African-American, Hispanic and Caucasian nulliparous women at term.
• Determine if maternal contaminate levels correlate with the distance from the environmental sampling site or with environmental contaminant levels.
• Determine the transplacental passage of maternally identified environmental contaminants by comparison with corresponding fetal cord blood.
• Determine the correlation between identified environmental contaminants and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in maternal and fetal blood samples.

Obesity-Related Alterations in Placental Development and Function

The purpose of the study is to see if there is a relationship between body weight and the function of the placenta. The study will compare the early placental tissue between obese and non-obese women.

Mark Alanis, MD

Outreach Wellness House Transition Project

The objective of this study is to transition from a temporary to a permanent Wellness House. The project will accelerate the rate at which the new Wellness House can provide a full level of women's health and prenatal care, dental services and health education to low income residents of Johns Island, James Island and Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina.

Roger Newman, MD

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Immediate versus Delayed Insertion of Implanon in Postpartum Adolescents

The specific aim of this study is to evaluate whether insertion of a long-acting contraceptive implant in postpartum adolescents prior to hospital discharge increases use of this highly effective contraception during the first twelve months postpartum among adolescents who elect Implanon® as their preferred method of contraception.  Additionally, this study aims to compare the acceptability of bleeding in postpartum adolescents who have an etonorgestrel contraceptive implant prior to discharge versus those with insertion at the six week postpartum visit. We will evaluate the acceptability of bleeding rather than collect prospective diaries because we feel subjective perceptions of bleeding impact contraceptive continuation more than quantitative differences in bleeding.

Angela Dempsey, MD

NAC-Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) SCOR Grant

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that MIA in an animal model will result in PTB and in neurologic injury and lead to abnormal behavioral testing in exposed offspring that deliver at term.  A secondary goal of this study is to test the hypothesis that treatment with NAC will reduce evidence of inflammation (maternal and fetal), brain injury, and improve behavioral testing scores in this animal model of PTB and brain injury

PI: Jingmei Zhang

Eugene Chang, MD

A Randomized, International, Double-Blinded (With In-House Blinding),Controlled With GARDASIL(TM), Dose-Ranging, Tolerability, Immunogenicity, and Efficacy Study of a Multivalent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) L1 Virus-Like Particle (VLP) Vaccine Administered to 16- to 26-Year-Old Women

The purpose of this study is to test the safety and effectiveness of the 9-valent HPV as compared to GARDASIL®.

Study Advertisement

David Soper, MD

A Multicenter, Open-Label, Randomized, Controlled Study to Compare the Effects on Bone Mineral Density of DR-105 and a 28-Day Cycle Oral Contraceptive Regimen in Healthy, Postmenarchal, Adolescent Females

This is a multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled study designed to compare the effects on bone mineral density of DR-105, a 91-day extended regimen, and a 28-day OC compared to a control group of healthy, postmenarchal, adolescent females not using hormonal contraceptives.

A Clinical Correlation of Vaginal Leukorrhea to the Diagnosis of Trichmonas Vaginalis

The specific aim of this study is to determine the incidence of Trichomonas infection in the MUSC population presenting with symptoms, signs, or risk factors of vaginitis and leukorrhea noted at the time of microscopy of the vaginal secretions.
Additionally, this study aims to demonstrate improved detection with a nucleic acid amplification method based on transcription mediated amplification (6,7) over microscopy and culture.

Gweneth Lazenby, MD

Prevalence of Vaginitis and Impact of Pre-operative Screening in Women Presenting to Gynecologic Oncology Clinic

The purpose of this study is to:

• Collect pilot data regarding the prevalence of vaginitis in gynecologic oncology patients scheduled for hysterectomy
• Determine the rate of vaginitis in patients presenting for pre-operative gynecologic oncology evaluation and planned treatment with hysterectomy
• Determine the rates of vaginitis in specific gynecologic cancers: cervical, endometrial, and ovarian
• Distinguish rates of vaginitis depending on menopausal and hormone replacement therapy status
• Determine the association of pre-operative vaginal infections in gynecologic cancers with post-operative infections

Clearance of Chlamydia trachomatis following treatment during pregnancy in order to determine timing of test of cure

The purpose of this study is to:

• Determine the rate of clearance of Chlamydia trachomatis DNA from the cervix during pregnancy following therapy
• Determine evidence based timing for the test of cure in pregnant women treated for Chlamydia
• Determine the effects of concurrent sexually transmitted infections on the clearance of Chlamydia

Maternal and Neonatal Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Colonization Screening during Admission for Preterm Labor

The purpose of this study is to:

• Determine possible transmission of MRSA to neonates from mothers in preterm labor or with premature rupture of membranes
• Determine if maternal decolonization of MRSA carriage decreases neonatal MRSA rates