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CompletedNCT00724594Updated Apr 12, 2021Results posted

Safety of N-acetylcysteine in Maternal Chorioamnionitis (NAC in Chorio)

A Phase 1/2 interventional study of N-acetylcysteine and Control in Chorioamnionitis and Brain Injury, sponsored by Medical University of South Carolina. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 13 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-04-12.

Sponsored by Medical University of South Carolina · Phase 1/2, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 1/2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
46
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
13 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of this trial was to find the best dose of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to decrease brain injury in babies exposed to intrauterine infection without causing significant side effects.

Read the detailed description

Chorioamnionitits is an infection in the fluid and membranes surrounding the baby in utero. Intrauterine infection is associated with significant white and grey matter brain injury in newborns and is particularly important in the pathogenesis of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and cerebral palsy (CP). CP has been shown to be 4-9 times higher in babies exposed to intrauterine infection than in normal infants. Antibiotics have not changed the risk for brain injury in the newborn.

NAC is a promising anti-oxidant therapy that has shown effective neuroprotection in an animal model of chorioamnionitis, and has a favorable safety profile with limited and manageable side effects.

In this trial, intravenous NAC was given to mothers antenatally and to their infants postnatally, who presented with the diagnosis of chorioamnionitis, to evaluate safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) in mothers and infants. Mothers at ≥24 weeks gestation and their infants were randomized to receive either saline NAC within 4 hours of a clinical diagnosis of chorioamnionitis. Infants were stratified into term (≥ 33wk) and preterm (24-32wk) cohorts, due to different expected rates of metabolism and clearance.

Information gained from this trial will be used to determine how rapidly NAC is metabolized by mother, fetus, infant, and the ability of NAC to cross placenta. This study will also elucidate the safety of NAC in the setting of chorioamnionitis for fetal neuroprotection.

02

Conditions studied

  • Chorioamnionitis
  • Brain Injury

Keywords

  • chorioamnionitis
  • maternal chorioamnionitis
  • neonatal white matter injury
  • N-acetylcysteine
  • NAC
  • anti-oxidant treatment
03

In context

Chorioamnionitis

39 studies on the registry are indexed under Chorioamnionitis; 9 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 46 is below the median of 157 across 22 interventional studies indexed under Chorioamnionitis.

Browse Chorioamnionitis studies →

Lead sponsor

Medical University of South Carolina is the lead sponsor of 874 studies on the registry; 166 are open to participants now.

Of its 131 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 104 (79%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
13 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

Participants had all of the following to qualify:

  • Chorioamnionitis, defined as either 1) clinical diagnosis of choriomanionitis 2) maternal fever greater than or equal to 100 degrees F in the presence of rupture of membranes or 2 of the following: uterine tenderness, maternal WBC > 15,000 cells/mm, fetal tachycardia > 160 bpm, malodorous amniotic fluid, or in preterm group only, rupture of membranes and active preterm labor.
  • Gestational age ≥ 24 completed weeks, by first trimester ultrasound or date of last menstrual period.
  • No greater than 4 hours from onset of fever or diagnosis.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants had none of the following:

  • Asthma, -dependent
  • Clinical sepsis, whether viral or bacterial in nature, defined as fever with signs of cardiovascular compromise in mother (blood pressure \< 90/50, heart rate > 120 bpm, need for oxygen due to maternal saturations below 92%, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, or meningitis)
  • Seizure disorder
  • Fetal weight or biparietal diameter less than the 10th% for gestational age
  • Suspected major genetic or congenital abnormality
  • Fetal distress which demands immediate delivery (poor fetal biophysical profile, late decelerations, sinusoidal fetal heart rate pattern)
  • Participation in another therapeutic clinical trial
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(1)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Corticosteroids (steroids)

Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.

Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.

05

Study design

Phase
Phase 1 / Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Participant)
Enrollment
46 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    N-acetylcysteine

    Mother/infant pairs were stratified by gestational age into premature (P) and term (T) cohorts.

    Drug: N-acetylcysteine

  • Active comparator
    Control

    Mother/infant pairs were stratified by gestational age into premature (P) and term (T) cohorts.

    Drug: Control

Interventions

  • NAC (100 mg/kg/dose) was given intravenously to mothers within 4 hours of diagnosis of chorioamnionitis, and every 6 hours until delivery. NAC was given to preterm (12.5 mg/kg/dose) and term infants (25 mg/kg/dose) every 12 hours for 5 doses after birth.

    Also known as: Acetadote, NAC

  • Saline was given in the same volume, at the same timing as NAC infusions

    Also known as: Saline

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. NAC Terminal Elimination Half-life

    Time frame: prior to delivery in mothers, and in newborn after delivery during 2 days of NAC infusion

  2. NAC Volume of Distribution

    Time frame: prior to delivery in mothers, and in newborn after delivery during 2 days of NAC infusion

  3. NAC Total Body Clearance

    Time frame: prior to delivery in mothers, and in newborn after delivery during 2 days of NAC infusion

  4. NAC Concentrations

    Time frame: Peak: 30 minutes after NAC infusion. Cord: at delivery

  5. Placental Transfer Ratio

    Ratio of NAC concentration in cord to maternal venous blood

    Time frame: At time of delivery

  6. Maternal and Infant Mean Blood Pressure Change

    Time frame: Maternal mean BP changes were pre/post dosing prior to delivery. Infant measurements were pre/post their first dosing

  7. Cerebral Blood Flow

    Resistive index in middle cerebral artery (MCA)

    Time frame: after NAC infusion

  8. Prothrombin Time

    prothrombin clotting time

    Time frame: after N-acetylcystiene or saline infusion

Secondary outcomes

  1. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Infants

    ratio of myoInositol / NAA concentrations in basal ganglia

    Time frame: 36 - 40 weeks gestational age

  2. Cytokine Level IL-1Ra in Plasma

    anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin -1 Receptor alpha (IL-1Ra)

    Time frame: after N-acetylcysteine infusion

07

Results

Posted Apr 30, 2015

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneNAC InfantControl InfantNAC MaternalControl Maternal
Started12121111
Completed12121110
Not completed0001

Outcome measures

PrimaryNAC Terminal Elimination Half-life
Time frame:
prior to delivery in mothers, and in newborn after delivery during 2 days of NAC infusion
Reported as:
Mean · hours
NAC Terminal Elimination Half-life
hoursNAC MaternalNAC Preterm InfantsNAC Term Infants
NAC Terminal Elimination Half-life1.2 ± 0.27.5 ± 2.05.1 ± 1.3
PrimaryNAC Volume of Distribution
Time frame:
prior to delivery in mothers, and in newborn after delivery during 2 days of NAC infusion
Reported as:
Mean · L/kg
NAC Volume of Distribution
L/kgNAC MaternalNAC Preterm InfantsNAC Term Infants
NAC Volume of Distribution0.41 ± 0.070.47 ± 0.040.38 ± 0.09
PrimaryNAC Total Body Clearance
Time frame:
prior to delivery in mothers, and in newborn after delivery during 2 days of NAC infusion
Reported as:
Mean · mL/h/kg
NAC Total Body Clearance
mL/h/kgNAC MaternalNAC Preterm InfantsNAC Term Infants
NAC Total Body Clearance255 ± 6145.0 ± 8.253.7 ± 11.3
PrimaryNAC Concentrations
Time frame:
Peak: 30 minutes after NAC infusion. Cord: at delivery
Reported as:
Mean · micromol/L
NAC Concentrations
micromol/LNAC MaternalNAC Preterm InfantsNAC Term Infants
Peak NAC concentration in plasma1222 ± 41549.0 ± 14.992.3 ± 69.2
NAC cord concentrationNA ± NA370.7 ± 199.2639.7 ± 409.4
PrimaryPlacental Transfer Ratio

Ratio of NAC concentration in cord to maternal venous blood

Time frame:
At time of delivery
Reported as:
Mean · ratio
Placental Transfer Ratio
ratioNAC Maternal
Placental Transfer Ratio1.4 ± 0.8
PrimaryMaternal and Infant Mean Blood Pressure Change
Time frame:
Maternal mean BP changes were pre/post dosing prior to delivery. Infant measurements were pre/post their first dosing
Reported as:
Mean · mmHg
Maternal and Infant Mean Blood Pressure Change
mmHgNAC InfantsControl InfantsNAC MaternalControl Maternal
Maternal and Infant Mean Blood Pressure Change-1.2 ± 132.1 ± 111 ± 122 ± 10
PrimaryCerebral Blood Flow

Resistive index in middle cerebral artery (MCA)

Time frame:
after NAC infusion
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Cerebral Blood Flow
units on a scaleNAC Term InfantsControl Term InfantsNAC Preterm InfantsControl Preterm Infants
Cerebral Blood Flow0.93 (0.87 to 0.99)0.89 (0.81 to 0.97)0.92 (0.88 to 0.97)0.89 (0.82 to 0.95)
Statistical analysis
  • NAC Term Infants vs Control Term Infants · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.9 (not significant)
  • NAC Preterm Infants vs Control Preterm Infants · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.9
PrimaryProthrombin Time

prothrombin clotting time

Time frame:
after N-acetylcystiene or saline infusion
Reported as:
Mean · seconds
Prothrombin Time
secondsNAC InfantControl InfantNAC MaternalControl Maternal
Prothrombin Time19.5 ± 2.519.0 ± 4.014.2 ± 0.614.4 ± 1.2
Statistical analysis
  • NAC Maternal vs Control Maternal · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.9 (not significant)
  • NAC Infant vs Control Infant · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.9
SecondaryMagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Infants

ratio of myoInositol / NAA concentrations in basal ganglia

Time frame:
36 - 40 weeks gestational age
Reported as:
Mean · ratio
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Infants
ratioNAC InfantsControl Infants
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Infants1.09 ± 0.311.34 ± 0.20
Statistical analysis
  • NAC Infants vs Control Infants · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.072
SecondaryCytokine Level IL-1Ra in Plasma

anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin -1 Receptor alpha (IL-1Ra)

Time frame:
after N-acetylcysteine infusion
Reported as:
Median · pg/ml
Cytokine Level IL-1Ra in Plasma
pg/mlNAC InfantsControl Infants
Cytokine Level IL-1Ra in Plasma745 (251 to 1302)8.3 (8.3 to 448)
Statistical analysis
  • NAC Infants vs Control Infants · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.014

Adverse events

Collected over Mothers were monitored for Adverse Events for up to 2 days after treatment. Infants were assessed for Adverse Events until discharge, Serious Adverse Events up to 30 days post-treatment.. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
NAC Infant—4/12 (33.3%)5/12 (41.7%)
Control Infant—3/12 (25%)3/12 (25%)
NAC Maternal—0/11 (0%)2/11 (18.2%)
Control Maternal—0/11 (0%)2/11 (18.2%)
Most frequent serious events
Most frequent serious events
EventNAC InfantControl InfantNAC MaternalControl Maternal
IVH 5-7 days of ageNervous system disorders2/120/120/110/11
DeathGeneral disorders0/121/120/110/11
IVH 1-2 days of ageNervous system disorders1/121/120/110/11
NEC within 30 daysNervous system disorders1/121/120/110/11
PneumoniaImmune system disorders1/120/120/110/11
Hypoxic Ischemic EncephalopathyNervous system disorders1/120/120/110/11
Culture Proven SepsisImmune system disorders1/121/120/110/11
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventNAC InfantControl InfantNAC MaternalControl Maternal
Prolonged PT timeBlood and lymphatic system disorders5/83/60/110/11
Rash/HivesSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders0/120/121/110/11
Shortness of breath/wheezingRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders0/120/120/111/11
HypotensionBlood and lymphatic system disorders0/121/121/111/11

Baseline characteristics

Age, Customized
Age, Customized(participants)NAC InfantControl InfantNAC MaternalControl MaternalTotal
Preterm Infants77NANANA
Term Infants55NANANA
Mothers aged 18-45yearsNANA1111NA
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)NAC InfantControl InfantNAC MaternalControl MaternalTotal
Female56111133
Male760013
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)NAC InfantControl InfantNAC MaternalControl MaternalTotal
American Indian or Alaska Native00000
Asian00000
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander00000
Black or African American958426
White373720
More than one race00000
Unknown or Not Reported00000
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)NAC InfantControl InfantNAC MaternalControl MaternalTotal
United States1212111146
08

Study locations

1 site
  • Medical University of South Carolina
    Charleston, South Carolina 29425, United States
09

References and documents

Publications

  • Wiest DB, Chang E, Fanning D, Garner S, Cox T, Jenkins DD. Antenatal pharmacokinetics and placental transfer of N-acetylcysteine in chorioamnionitis for fetal neuroprotection. J Pediatr. 2014 Oct;165(4):672-7.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2014.06.044. Epub 2014 Jul 23. PubMed 25064164 ↗
  • Jenkins DD, Wiest DB, Mulvihill DM, Hlavacek AM, Majstoravich SJ, Brown TR, Taylor JJ, Buckley JR, Turner RP, Rollins LG, Bentzley JP, Hope KE, Barbour AB, Lowe DW, Martin RH, Chang EY. Fetal and Neonatal Effects of N-Acetylcysteine When Used for Neuroprotection in Maternal Chorioamnionitis. J Pediatr. 2016 Jan;168:67-76.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.09.076. Epub 2015 Nov 3. PubMed 26545726 ↗
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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Apr 12, 2021, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00724594
Responsible party
Dorothea D. Jenkins (Associate Professor, Medical University of South Carolina) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jul 29, 2008
Start date
Aug 2008
Primary completion
Jul 2014
Completion
Aug 2014
Results posted
Apr 30, 2015
Last update
Apr 12, 2021

Study contacts

Dorothea D. Jenkins, MD
principal investigator · Medical University of South Carolina
Eugene Chang, MD
principal investigator · Medical University of South Carolina (Obstetric Principal Investigator)

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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