Table 3 Genetic and Environmental Factors
Overarching Goal: To determine and reduce the role of genetics, the environment, and their interactions on the burden of preterm birth and stillbirth | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Â | Milestones* | Â | |||
Output | Post-Conference (by 2010) | Short-Term (by 2012) | Intermediate (by 2015) | Long-Term (beyond 2015) | Success Metrics |
A. Characterize genetic risks for PTB/SB and identify potentially modifiable environmental influences, especially for LMICs | 1. Systematic review of existing knowledge 2. Identify and engage potential funding agencies 3. Assess existing cohorts | 4. Develop cohorts in LMICs 5. Develop standardized phenotype definitions and collection protocols 6. Generate RFAs 7. Initiate large scale GWAS 8. Initiate microbiome studies 9. Initiate epigenetic studies and gene:environment studies | 10. Develop geographic and culturally valid measures of environmental, genetic, and nutrient risks | 11. Population-appropriate intervention trials of modifiable genetic influences | • Contribute to MDG 4 • Standardized protocols and phenotype definitions |
B. Intensively characterize the "envirome" (xenobiotics, microbiomes, environmental influences) relative to the global risks for PTB/SB | 1. Systematic review of existing knowledge 2. Identify and engage potential funding agencies | 3. Utilize in-vitro models for high-throughput screening of xenobiotics and PTB/SB 4. Develop appropriate bio-informatics infrastructure 5. Generate RFAs | 6. Epidemiologic studies to assess associations of environmental exposure and PTB/SB 7. Initiate clinical trials of modifiable environmental risk factors | 8. Develop exportable screening tools for environmental risks 9. Clinical trials of modifiable environmental risk factors | • Ethnically and geographically valid measures for nutritional stress • Established population-attributable risks to exposures |