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                           JeffNEWS, July 1, 1995
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Home Uterine Activity Monitor Effective, Say Jefferson Researchers
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A clinical study by doctors at Jefferson confirms the effectiveness of home 
uterine activity monitoring devices (HUAM) in the early detection of
preterm labor and pregnancy prolongation.

"The addition of home uterine activity monitoring to standard high-risk 
prenatal care helps detect preterm labor, giving a physician a better 
opportunity to intervene with appropriate treatment," says Ronald J. Wapner, 
MD, director of the department of maternal-fetal medicine and principal 
investigator of the study. His latest research findings appear in the March 
issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Jefferson was 
one of four major medical institutions participating in the study.

Two hundred eighteen patients with a history of a previous preterm 
delivery took part in the multicenter prospective randomized clinical trial. 
Success of monitoring was demonstrated by less cervical dilation at the time 
of diagnosis of preterm labor and less change in cervical dilation from the 
last prenatal visit. 

"In addition to earlier detection of preterm labor, this study in 
conjunction with previous studies published in peer-reviewed journals, 
demonstrates the efficacy of the HUAM device when utilized with standard, 
high-risk obstetrical care. In addition, greater gestational ages at 
delivery, increased birthweight, and reduced NICU days were observed in the 
HUAM group, demonstrating the cost effectiveness of programs that include 
HUAM," adds Dr. Wapner.


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Information provided by:  Editor, JeffNEWS
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