Wilford Hall conducts study to reduce premature births Published June 22, 2010 By Linda Frost 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A research program is under way at Wilford Hall Medical Center to test the effectiveness of an investigational drug to reduce preterm delivery in women. Lt. Col. (Dr.) Andrea Shields, 59th Maternal/Child Care Squadron, maternal-fetal medicine specialist, along with investigators from eight other Department of Defense sites, are part of the national research project. "The study will allow us to measure the ability of an investigational drug to reduce preterm delivery in women whose previous pregnancies have resulted in premature births, and to assess the drug's effect on improving the health of the newborn," Dr. Shields said. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development reports that women who have had previous preterm births are more likely to have subsequent preterm births. Babies born prior to 37 weeks of gestation are considered premature and are prone to health problems such as lung and brain damage and vision impairment. Babies born after 37 weeks of gestation are considered full term and are more likely to be healthy. Every year more than 500,000 babies are born prematurely in the United States. One mother out of every eight is affected with a premature birth. The project is a worldwide study enrolling approximately 1,700 women from the United States, Canada and other countries. Participation may last up to 20 weeks, depending on when the subject is enrolled. "Participation could contribute to reducing the number of preterm births and prematurity complications in the United States and worldwide," she added. To learn more about participating in this study, contact Dr. Shields at 210- 292-6100 or her research coordinator, Kathy Carey, at 210- 292-4273.