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California Very Preterm Birth Study: design and characteristics of the population- and biospecimen bank-based nested

Martin Kharrazi1, Michelle Pearl, Juan Yang

  • 1Genetic Disease Screening Program, California Department of Public Health, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Richmond, CA 94804, USA. marty.kharrazi@cdph.ca.gov

Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology
|April 5, 2012
PubMed

Insights

The California Very Preterm Birth Study investigated genetic and environmental factors contributing to very preterm birth (VPTB), a major cause of infant mortality and racial disparities. Researchers aim to identify determinants to reduce these adverse outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal epidemiology
  • Reproductive health
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Very preterm birth (VPTB) is a significant contributor to infant mortality, morbidity, and racial disparities in the United States.
  • The complex and multifactorial causes of VPTB remain poorly understood, necessitating comprehensive research.
  • Existing data and banked specimens from statewide screening programs offer a valuable resource for studying VPTB.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discover maternal and infant genetic and environmental factors associated with very preterm birth (VPTB).
  • To describe the study design, population, data, and specimen collection methods of the California Very Preterm Birth Study.
  • To establish a foundation for future research into the determinants of different types of VPTB.

Main Methods:

  • A large, population-based cohort was created by linking live birth records from 2000-2007 in five Southern California counties.
  • 1100 VPTB cases and 796 control mother-infant pairs were selected, with specific gestational age definitions for different racial groups.
  • Medical record abstraction was performed at over 50 hospitals to identify spontaneous VPTB, confirm gestational age, and gather clinical data.

Main Results:

  • The study established a cohort of 1100 very preterm birth cases and 796 controls, with detailed demographic information.
  • VPTB was defined as birth <32 weeks for White and Hispanic infants and <34 weeks for Black infants.
  • Approximately 55% of VPTBs were spontaneous, and 41% of these were associated with chorioamnionitis.

Conclusions:

  • The California Very Preterm Birth Study provides a robust dataset for investigating the genetic and environmental factors influencing spontaneous very preterm birth.
  • The study's design allows for future research into social, clinical, and biological determinants of various VPTB types.
  • The ultimate goal is to reduce infant mortality, morbidity, and racial disparities associated with preterm birth in the US and globally.

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