Clinical trial NCT06919757: Early Lung Function Trajectories: Comparison Between Infants With and Without Intrauterine Growth Restriction.
Official title: Early Lung Function Trajectories: Comparison Between Infants With Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Appropriately Grown Ones.
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Conditions: Intrauterine Growth Retardation (IUGR)
Lung Function Tests
Preterm Infant
Respiratory Monitoring
Keywords: lung volume measurements
pulmonary function test
preterm birth
intrauterine growth retardation
oxygen saturation/physiology
Lead sponsor: Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-04-09
Enrollment: 54
Sex: ALL
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Observational model: CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective: PROSPECTIVE
Sampling method: PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: Fetuses and Infants born before 32 weeks of gestation, with and without fetal growth restriction

Brief summary: During intrauterine life, some babies are smaller or grow less than expected. This fetal growth abnormality, called fetal growth restriction (FGR), can be diagnosed by ultrasound. Since there are currently no curative treatments for this condition, nor methods to optimize the growth of babies in the womb, the only effective strategy is intensive monitoring of fetal conditions, accompanied by early planning of delivery.

The diagnosis of early FGR (i.e. diagnosed before 32 weeks of gestation) confers a greater risk of short- and long-term respiratory problems.

The study aims to examine the association between parameters that can be assessed during pregnancy by ultrasound, such as the estimate of lung volumes, the thickness and contractility of the diaphragm, and cardiac kinetics, and any perinatal complications and respiratory function in the first years of life of premature infants, both with and without evidence of fetal growth pathology. Therefore, the study is divided into two phases: a prenatal and a postnatal phase.

The study includes two groups of patients:

1. Study group: Fetuses and preterm infants with a prenatal history of FGR;
2. Control group: Preterm infants without a prenatal history of FGR followed during neonatal follow-up.

Pregnant women with fetuses with FGR are followed at the Ultrasound clinics dedicated to Growth Pathology.

These pregnancies usually receive weekly ultrasound monitoring, which includes a Doppler study of the maternal and fetal circulation and an estimate of fetal weight every two weeks. Cardiotocographic monitoring is also planned once or twice a week, depending on fetal well-being.

The child will be assessed from a respiratory point of view during hospitalization and subsequently in the outpatient clinic, as required by clinical practice.

He/she will undergo respiratory function tests. Visits are scheduled at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months of corrected age, during which at least two respiratory function tests will be performed.

In addition, routine clinical data (personal data, medical history, blood tests, biological and instrumental tests) present in the medical record of the child will be collected.

Data from preterm infants without fetal growth restriction will be collected after informed consent. These infants are routinely followed at our Institution and undergo clinical assessment and lung function tests in the first two years of life as previously indicated.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Fetuses and Infants born before 32 weeks of gestation, with and without fetal growth restriction

Exclusion Criteria:

* Lack of informed consent
* Need for palliative care
* Major malformations

Primary outcomes:
measure: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
timeFrame: 36 weeks post-menstrual age
measure: Death
timeFrame: 2 years of life
measure: Lung function data
timeFrame: 2 years of life
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Peripheral oxygen saturation/fraction on inspired oxygen ratio (SFR)
timeFrame: 16 weeks of life
measure: Peripheral oxygen saturation/fraction on inspired oxygen ratio divided by mean airway pressure (SFR/P)
timeFrame: 16 weeks of life
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Roma
country: Italy
facility: Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS
Study officials:
affiliation: Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
name: Stefano Nobile, MD, PhD, MSc
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Nobile S, Marchionni P, Carnielli VP. Neonatal outcome of small for gestational age preterm infants. Eur J Pediatr. 2017 Aug;176(8):1083-1088. doi: 10.1007/s00431-017-2957-1. Epub 2017 Jun 28.
citation: Jensen EA, Foglia EE, Dysart KC, Simmons RA, Aghai ZH, Cook A, Greenspan JS, DeMauro SB. Adverse effects of small for gestational age differ by gestational week among very preterm infants. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2019 Mar;104(2):F192-F198. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2017-314171. Epub 2018 May 5.
citation: D'Agostin M, Di Sipio Morgia C, Vento G, Nobile S. Long-term implications of fetal growth restriction. World J Clin Cases. 2023 May 6;11(13):2855-2863. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i13.2855.
citation: Arigliani M, Stocco C, Valentini E, De Pieri C, Castriotta L, Ferrari ME, Canciani C, Driul L, Orsaria M, Cattarossi L, Cogo P. Lung function between 8 and 15 years of age in very preterm infants with fetal growth restriction. Pediatr Res. 2021 Sep;90(3):657-663. doi: 10.1038/s41390-020-01299-0. Epub 2021 Jan 19.
citation: Nobile S, Marchionni P, Gidiucci C, Correani A, Palazzi ML, Spagnoli C, Rondina C; Marche Neonatal Network; Carnielli VP. Oxygen saturation/FIO2 ratio at 36 weeks' PMA in 1005 preterm infants: Effect of gestational age and early respiratory disease patterns. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2019 May;54(5):637-643. doi: 10.1002/ppul.24265. Epub 2019 Jan 27.
citation: Salem Y, Willers CC, Amylidi-Mohr S, Kentgens AC, Stranzinger E, Latzin P, Raio L, Yammine S. Low Birth Weight and Impaired Later Lung Function: Results from a Monochorionic Twin Study. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2022 Nov;19(11):1856-1864. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202112-1349OC.