RTI to lead data coordination for new NIH stillbirth research consortium

The consortium will focus on developing tools, devices and other technologies reduce preventable stillbirths in the U.S.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — RTI International, an independent scientific research institute, has been selected to lead data coordination for the Stillbirth Research Consortium, a $37 million initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop tools, devices and other technologies reduce preventable stillbirths in the U.S.

In the U.S., stillbirth—defined as fetal death at 20 weeks or later—affects 1 in every 160 deliveries, totaling more than 23,000 cases each year. Despite decades of research, more than 60% of cases remain unexplained after ruling out common causes such as congenital abnormalities, genetic factors and obstetric complications.

“Stillbirth remains one of the most devastating and least understood outcomes in maternal and child health,” said Dr. Elizabeth McClure, a perinatal epidemiologist at RTI. “By coordinating data across research efforts, we hope to uncover patterns and insights that can lead to a meaningful reduction in these cases.”

The Stillbirth Research Consortium will bring together five institutions to develop tools, technologies and strategies to improve diagnosis and prevention. RTI will oversee data harmonization and support standardized data collection across all participating research centers.

RTI’s coordinating center will be led by McClure and Senior Fellow Dr. Carla Bann. The team will facilitate projects across the consortium and ensure rigor in study data and data sharing.

“Stillbirth remains one of the most devastating and least understood outcomes in maternal and child health,” said Dr. Elizabeth McClure. “By coordinating data across research efforts, we hope to uncover patterns and insights that can lead to a meaningful reduction in these cases.”

The consortium includes:
 

• University of California San Diego Center for Stillbirth Prevention, which specializes in placental dysfunction and fetal growth restriction
• Columbia University’s CARES Research Center, which has expertise in artificial intelligence and electronic health records to identify early risk factors
• University of Utah Stillbirth Research Center, which has expertise in evaluating fetal movement and bereavement support strategies.
• Oregon Health & Science University’s NOURISH Research Center, which has expertise in nutrition, stress and cardiometabolic health in relation to stillbirth

Grants supporting the effort include UM2HD119552 (coordinating center), UG1HD119608, UG1HD119613, UG1HD119614 and UG1HD119576.

Learn more about RTI’s coordinating center capabilities