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Biomarkers of Uterine Muscle Physiology

Two Novel Biomarkers for Labor Dystocia: Developing a Physiologic Understanding to Facilitate Precision in Diagnosis and Individualized Management

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04251702
Acronym
BUMP
Enrollment
42
Registered
2020-02-05
Start date
2023-08-21
Completion date
2025-12-01
Last updated
2026-05-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Labor; Dyscoordinate, Labor (Obstetrics)--Complications

Keywords

labor dystocia, cesarean delivery, uterine monitoring

Brief summary

This observational study characterizes the relationship between amniotic fluid lactate and uterine electromyography during labor in healthy individuals at term planning a vaginal birth. Additional comparison measures and outcomes measures will be collected and analyzed as exploratory measures.

Detailed description

Elevated amniotic fluid lactate (AFL) and uterine electromyography (EMG) mathematically transformed to calculated the power density spectrum median frequency have been found separately to be associated with labor dystocia and cesarean birth. Similarly, recent research indicates that the cytokine IL-6 may play a critical role in labor onset and potentially labor progression. All three are hypothesized to reflect that uterine fatigue plays a role in the pathophysiology of labor dystocia for some women. This study aims to characterize the relationship between these three measures to better understand the role of uterine fatigue in labor dystocia and triangulate biomarkers of fatigue that may lead to a better understanding of labor dystocia phenotypes. In addition to the primary measures, comparison measures will be collected. For AFL comparison, venous whole blood lactate and capillary lactate will be collected and measured using both a point-of-care lactate meter (Stat Strip Lactate Meter, Nova Biomedical) and a table-top blood gas analyzer (Nova Prime). For EMG comparison, routine contraction monitoring data will be collected and compared to the EMG signal. IL-6 will be measured both in blood and amniotic fluid using a novel microsampling protocol. Three visual analog scales on women's experiences of fatigue, anxiety, and pain will also be administered. Additional data will be collected from the medical record to perform exploratory and hypothesis generating analysis.

Interventions

None listed

Sponsors

University of Colorado, Denver
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
CollaboratorNIH
Nova Biomedical
CollaboratorINDUSTRY

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 41 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Maternal age: 18-41 years at the due date * Term gestation: 37-41 weeks estimated gestational age (EGA) * Single fetus in a vertex presentation: Pregnancy with only one fetus that is in a head down position with the occiput leading into the pelvis upon admission to the hospital.

Exclusion criteria

* Pre-existing or gestational diabetes requiring medical management: The diagnosis of diabetes of any kind requiring management with medications including but not limited to insulin, glyburide, and metformin as indicated in the health record. * Pre-existing or gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia requiring medical management: The diagnosis of hypertension of any kind requiring management with medications including but not limited to long-term hypertension management such as methyldopa and short-term or emergency hypertension management such as labetalol or magnesium sulfate as indicated in the health record. * Suspected fetal anomaly or intrauterine growth restriction: Any diagnosed fetal anomalies or intrauterine growth restriction as indicated in the health record. * Use of amnioinfusion prior to sample collection: Amnioinfusion, the infusion of fluids into the uterus using an intrauterine catheter may affect AFL concentrations. Any amnioinfusion prior to sample collection will exclude participants from continued participation. * Fetal distress prior to or during sample collection: Category 3 fetal heart tracing as defined by the National Institute of Child Health and Development22, absent fetal heart rate variability with recurrent late deceleration, recurrent variable decelerations, bradycardia, or sinusoidal rhythm.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Amniotic Fluid LactateDuring active labor (4-10cm) after rupture of membranesAmniotic fluid lactate as measured using the handheld StatStrip Lactate Meter (Nova Biomedical). This will be measured once during active labor (6-10cm) after rupture of membranes.
Median power density spectrum of uterine electromyography30 minutes after amniotic fluid collection during active labor (4-10cm) after rupture of membranesUterine electromyography measured using the Bloomlife Lovelace EMG monitor
Visual analog scale for fatigueAt the time of amniotic fluid collectionParticipants indicate their level of fatigue on a 100 mm horizontal line anchored by "no fatigue at all" (0) and "the most serious fatigue imaginable" (100). The scale will be administered at the time of amniotic fluid collection.
Amniotic fluid IL-6At the time of amniotic fluid collectionAmniotic fluid collected using a volumetric assisted microsampling device.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Capillary LactateAt the time of amniotic fluid collectionCapillary lactate measured using the handheld StatStrip Lactate Meter (Nova Biomedical). This will be measured within 10 minutes of the amniotic fluid lactate measurement.
Serum LactateAt the time of amniotic fluid collectionSerum lactate measured using a POC device and analyzed using a laboratory assay
Serum IL-6At the time of amniotic fluid collectionSerum IL-6 measured using a laboratory assay (multiplex)

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORKatherine Kissler, PhD

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, College of Nursing

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: May 5, 2026