Normal Controls

Prenatal ultrasound can provide important information about how the brain and other parts of a fetus are developing. We are using ultrasound to study fetuses and babies that may have mild changes in the way certain parts of their brain develop. You may participate in this study if you have had a prenatal ultrasound that showed that the brain structure of your fetus was normal and would be eligible to serve as a normal control in this study.

The study involves three separate visits for ultrasounds: once during the second trimester, once during the third trimester, and once shortly after the birth of your child. You will also be asked medical history questions by a study nurse or program coordinator.

A developmental assessment will be done when your child is one and two years old. Your child will also have the opportunity to have an MRI of his or her brain after birth and at the one- and two-year follow-up visits as well. You will receive $50 for each of the study visits and be reimbursed for travel and parking expenses.

By participating you may be helping women who have babies in the future by improving our knowledge of how these babies develop. This is a voluntary study, you will be compensated, and all information gathered is confidential.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact Dianne Evans, Program Coordinator (919.843-2389 or 866.849.0541 (toll free) or email: ddevans@med.unc.edu). She can explain the study in more detail and answer any questions that you may have.

Related Link

Normal Control Study Brochure

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate as a Normal Control in this Study?
Anyone who has had an ultrasound of her fetus that showed the brain structure of her fetus was developing normally.

Will it cost me anything to be in this study?
There are no costs to subjects for participating in this research study.

Will I be paid anything if I participate in this study?
All study participants will receive $50 for each of the study visits (for a potential total of $400) and be reimbursed for travel and parking expenses.

I would like to participate in this study but I don’t drive/have a car?
Transportation can be provided if needed.

Why participate in the Early Brain Development Study as a Normal Control?
By participating you may be helping women who have babies in the future by improving our knowledge of how these babies develop.

Who cannot participate as a Normal Control in this Study?
• Anyone who has had an ultrasound of her fetus that showed the brain structure of her fetus was not developing normally.
• Anyone who is 24 or more weeks gestation age.

Will participation in this Study be kept confidential?
Yes, all information gathered is confidential.

Twins