Subscribe today for more stories, tips, and updates.

Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • ?
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • ?
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/Research and Discoveries/Closing in on prematurity one molecular-sized baby step at a time

Closing in on prematurity one molecular-sized baby step at a time

 

February 19, 2010
0 Comments
By: Nick Miller

Solving the puzzle of unacceptably high prematurity rates in the United States isn’t just a matter of finding the right pieces and fitting them together. It can also require doing something extraordinary before even knowing where to look.

Experts say the compatible puzzle pieces are in data that detail the vital, delicate and symbiotic relationship between an expectant mother and her baby.

A growing library of evidence already exists linking poor lifestyle choices (smoking and poor nutrition while pregnant, etc.), low educational levels and poverty to higher risk levels for premature birth. Beyond that already known in unfortunate abundance, is the realm of the unknown. This is where so many of the critically important answers are hiding in places the naked eye can’t see.

Although doctors and scientists know very little about the biological processes that trigger childbirth, a new study from the Cincinnati Children’s Perinatal Institute is providing one of the first genetic clues. Scientists here are pointing to a gene identified officially as p53 – sometimes referred to as “The Guardian Angel Gene.” Its normal role is to help protect genetic stability in the body’s biological processes and act as a tumor suppressor if something goes haywire.

A scientific team lead by Sudhansu K. Dey, PhD, studied how the presence and absence of p53 in the uteri of pregnant mice affected their pregnancies. They discovered that p53 deficiency set off a chain of biological interactions that led to the mice giving premature birth and, in over half of the mice, early death of offspring.

This molecular step forward may come from a world of microscopic reality, but it lights a very visible path for future studies and the quest for pieces of the puzzle.

Subscribe today for more stories, tips, and updates.

Related Articles

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Prematurity
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Prematurity
Newer Imaging Techniques for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Newer Imaging Techniques for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
5 Tips for Parents of a Premature Baby
5 Tips for Parents of a Premature Baby
In Memory of Liam
In Memory of Liam
TAGS:
  • Perinatal Institute
  • prematurity
Avatar photo

About the author: Nick Miller

Nick is the science writer at Cincinnati Children’s and a former journalist. A newspaper reporter and editor for 20 years, Miller developed a knack for writing about cops, criminals, courts, the environment, and – of all things – decommissioning nuclear weapons plants. Miller left journalism to become a media relations and communications manager in the aviation industry. The career change was just in time for him to personally experience one of the worst industry downturns in the history of powered flight. His focus today is uncovering and telling stories about the amazing science coming out of the research laboratories of Cincinnati Children’s. He thinks the world should know more about the work of the medical center’s dedicated scientists – people who spend countless hours pursuing the discoveries of today, which may become the cures of tomorrow. When not haunting the halls of the research foundation, Nick spends his time preserving historic buildings and neighborhoods. He also works with local organizations trying to build bicycle/pedestrian trails, preserve green space and promote active lifestyles

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Comments Yet

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • How We Do It
  • Learning and Growing
  • Meet The Team
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Patient Stories
  • Pin of the Week
  • Radiology
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What Makes Us Different
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Never miss a post! Sign up to get new blog updates delivered to your email.

Popular Posts

  • 6 Questions to Ask When Your Child Complains of Chest Pain 1.9k views
  • Caring for the Caregivers of Children with Congenital Heart Disease  1.2k views
  • Stuttering In Young Kids: When To Be Concerned 862 views
  • Would You Pass This Pesticide Safety Quiz? 620 views
  • Laryngomalacia: Is My Child’s Noisy Breathing Serious? 571 views
  • 4 Questions to Ask When Your Child Has Recurrent Croup 515 views
About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2022 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center