PREMIE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
PRofiling and Evaluation of Microbiota and Infections in women at high risk of prEterm birth (PREMIE): a proof-of-concept study
IRAS ID
349400
Contact name
Victoria Hodgetts-Morton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Preterm birth (birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy) is the leading cause of infant and child death under the age of 5 years, accounts for approximately 10% of births worldwide and significantly impacts the child’s health. Infections and inflammatory processes play a crucial part in triggering preterm birth, often arising from imbalances in the normal bacteria in the bowel and vagina. The PREMIE study will establish a sample collection pipeline (vaginal swabs and faecal samples) from pregnant women attending the Preterm Birth Clinic at Birmingham Women’s Hospital and evaluate for infections or bacterial imbalances, that are not currently tested for. PREMIE is a feasibility study to show that a large multi-centre trial is feasible and acceptable to women at high risk of preterm birth.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
25/NS/0112
Date of REC Opinion
18 Sep 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion