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Study on Stress and Preterm Birth

This study is looking into how stress and mental health might be connected to preterm birth (when a baby is born too early). Researchers want to understand why preterm birth happens more often in Black and Hispanic women. You could be eligible if you are pregnant, at least 18 years old, not smoking, drinking, or using drugs, and plan to deliver at CUIMC/NYP. You should also be in your first or second trimester of pregnancy. The study will use a Cognitive Challenge (Stroop Color-Word Test) to see how a baby's heart rate reacts to a mother's stress. The main goal is to see if there's a higher percentage of Black and Hispanic women in the high-stress group. The study is currently unclear on its status and plans to enroll 200 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 200 pregnant women. The study does not specify if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You would participate in a Cognitive Challenge (Stroop Color-Word Test) administered at 36-38 weeks gestation. You would also need to be in your first or second trimester of pregnancy when you join.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary endpoint is measured between 12 and 38 weeks gestation, but long-term follow-up is not specified.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05229666

Stress Phenotypes and Preterm Birth

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalBasic science
Columbia University
~200 participants
Updated 2026-05-14 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Cognitive Challenge

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Higher percentage of Black and Hispanic women in high stress group
Measured over At 12 - 38 weeks gestation

Conditions

Preterm Birth
Inflammation
Stress
Mental Health Issue

Explore related trials

Preterm Birth

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
New York1

Study leadership

  • Catherine Monk, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Columbia University

Who to contact

Catherine Monk, PhD
[email protected]
646-774-8941
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Pregnant women 18 years of age or older (based on self-report)
Not currently smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking drugs (based on self-report)
Planning to deliver at CUIMC/NYP (based on self-report)
In the first or second trimester of pregnancy (prior to 28 weeks gestation) (based on self-report of estimated date of delivery)

Exclusion

Multi-fetal pregnancy (based on self-report)
Taking medications regularly that affect the cardiovascular and inflammatory systems, including NSAIDS and other anti-inflammatories, α blockers, β blockers, corticosteroids, chronic-use asthma medications (e.g. beta2- adrenoceptor agonists) (based on self-report)
This does NOT include baby aspirin or low-dose aspirin, as baby aspirin / low-dose aspirin is not normally considered to be an NSAID.
Inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis (based on self-report)

What this trial measures

  • Higher percentage of Black and Hispanic women in high stress groupAt 12 - 38 weeks gestation

    The high stress group is calculated using various measures including multiple psychosocial, life course, biological variables, and acute stress reactivity to a cognitive challenge (Stroop test).