THRIVE Pregnancy
What is the THRIVE Pregnancy study looking at?
Our goal of this study is to look at if the vaginal microenvironment influences the state of the amniotic environment of the baby. Amniotic fluid is the liquid that surrounds a baby during gestation until birth. It is rich in nutrients and growth factors that support fetal development. Additionally, amniotic fluid is an essential part in fighting infections. If an unfavourable vaginal microbiome is present, we are investigating if this could cause an increase in amniotic inflammation. Due to the proximity of the vaginal mucosal environment to the amniotic fluid. This dysregulation could lead to premature contractions, changes to the cervix, and premature delivery (78-80).
Why are we studying pregnancy?
The Vaginal Microbiome
What causes inflammation?
What causes inflammation?
Inflammation in amniotic fluid can come from many places. Vaginal bacterial infections, like E. coli, Shigella, and Salmonella, can induce inflammation. However, the association of both commensal and dysbiotic bacterial species to amniotic fluid inflammatory markers are largely unknown.
What causes inflammation?
What causes inflammation?
What causes inflammation?
The inflammatory response within the amniotic fluid can result from various factors such as infection, stress, maternal health conditions and environmental factors such as cigarette smoke. Inflammation could be due to microorganisms, or other mechanisms of disease that activate the immune system (81).
Inflammation and Labour
What causes inflammation?
Inflammation and Labour
The term “sterile intra-amniotic inflammation” is used when inflammation is present, but microorganisms cannot be detected. The presence of inflammation in the amniotic fluid is linked to a higher risk of preterm birth, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, and other pregnancy complications (81).
Long term birth effects
Are there any interventions?
Inflammation and Labour
Amniotic inflammation could potentially result in long-term health issues for a child, such as asthma. Since the developing lungs are exposed to this inflammatory environment in utero.
Are there any interventions?
Are there any interventions?
Are there any interventions?
This study will look to provide new insights into the drivers of amniotic fluid inflammation. And if they are there, can there be any future therapeutic interventions available to decrease or reverse this inflammation?