Program in Perinatal Research and Obstetrics
Roberto Romero, MD, Program Director
The Program in Perinatal Research and Obstetrics (PPRO) encompasses clinical and laboratory research in maternal and fetal diseases responsible for excessive infant mortality in the United States. It focuses on the mechanisms of disease responsible for premature labor and delivery, with particular emphasis on the role of subclinical intrauterine infection and inflammation. The prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies is also a major area of interest.
The NICHD awarded a contract and lease to establish a facility and support the operations of the PPRO in Michigan. The facility, housed at Hutzel Women’s Hospital, was delivered to NICHD in February 2005, and work to establish the Program is well advanced. It has access to a patient population with a high rate of pregnancy complications and brings to bear the academic resources of three major universities: Wayne State University, the University of Michigan, and Michigan State University. The PPRO has developed strong collaborative relationships with these universities, which are all part of the Life Science Corridor established by the state of Michigan to attract and support research and development in the biomedical field. The PPRO has been and will continue focusing on development of the physical plan, organization, and recruitment of support staff.
Premature birth is the leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. The PPRO has defined preterm labor as a syndrome and determined that at least 25 percent of preterm neonates are born to women with subclinical intrauterine infection. The PPRO has also provided evidence that many premature neonates are critically ill before birth and proposed that, in the context of intrauterine infection, the onset of premature labor has survival value.
The PPRO also strives to improve the diagnosis and treatment of fetal disease and congenital anomalies, focusing last year on congenital heart disease, the leading cause of infant death among newborns with congenital anomalies. The PPRO is also exploring sonographic and biochemical indicators of the risk factors for preeclampsia.