Abstract
Preterm labor is the second leading cause of neonatal mortality and leads to a myriad of complications like delayed development and cerebral palsy. Currently, there is no way to accurately predict preterm labor, making its prevention and treatment virtually impossible. While there are some at-risk patients, over half of all preterm births do not fall into any high-risk category. This study seeks to predict and prevent preterm labor by using Raman spectroscopy to detect changes in the cervix during pregnancy. Since Raman spectroscopy has been used to detect cancers in vivo in organs like the cervix and skin, it follows that spectra will change over the course of pregnancy. Previous studies have shown that fluorescence decreased during pregnancy and increased during post-partum exams to pre-pregnancy levels. We believe significant changes will occur in the Raman spectra obtained during the course of pregnancy. In this study, Raman spectra from the cervix of pregnant mice will be acquired. Specific changes that occur due to cervical softening or changes in hormonal levels will be observed to understand the changes that occur before and after labor in the cervix.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 2011 Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Conference |
Subtitle of host publication | Image Informatics and Analytics in Biomedicine, BSEC 2011 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 7 2011 |
Event | 2011 Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Conference: Image Informatics and Analytics in Biomedicine, BSEC 2011 - Knoxville, TN, United States Duration: Mar 15 2011 → Mar 17 2011 |
Other
Other | 2011 Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Conference: Image Informatics and Analytics in Biomedicine, BSEC 2011 |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | Knoxville, TN |
Period | 3/15/11 → 3/17/11 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design
- Biomedical Engineering