Simhan Research Group

Principal Investigator: Hyagriv Simhan, MD, MS

Our work on preterm birth is funded through the National Institutes of Health (NICHD, NIAID) We focus on the following areas of preterm birth research:

  • Understanding how maternal nutritional status influences the immune system and the risk of preterm birth
  • Exploring the complex genetics and heritability of preterm birth
  • Understanding normal and abnormal cervical biology, structure and function
  • Exploring the biology and effectiveness of progesterone in preventing preterm birth

Selected Publications:

  • Maternal serum folate species in early pregnancy and risk of preterm birth. Bodnar LM, Himes KP, Venkataramanan R, Chen JY, Evans RW, Meyer JL, Simhan HN. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Oct;92(4):864-71. Epub 2010 Aug 25.
  • Mid-trimester cervical inflammatory milieu and sonographic cervical length. Kalan AM, Simhan HN.
  • Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Aug;203(2):126.e1-5. Epub 2010 May 8. PMID: 20451891 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
  • Maternal vitamin D deficiency is associated with bacterial vaginosis in the first trimester of pregnancy.
  • Bodnar LM, Krohn MA, Simhan HN. J Nutr. 2009 Jun;139(6):1157-61. Epub 2009 Apr 8. PMID: 19357214 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
  • First-trimester cervical inflammatory milieu and subsequent early preterm birth. Simhan HN, Krohn MA.
  • Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Apr;200(4):377.e1-4. Epub 2009 Feb 6. PMID: 19200941 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
  • Genetic regulation of cervical antiinflammatory cytokine concentrations during pregnancy. Simhan HN, Ryckman KK, Williams SM, Krohn MA. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Aug;199(2):163.e1-163.e11. PMID: 18674658 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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