# MFMU Network Protocols

> **NIH NIH UG1** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2021 · $269,150

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The University of Utah has been one of the most productive sites in the NICHD Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units
(MFMU) Network over the past 25 years, contributing numerous concepts and protocols, large numbers of
well-characterized study participants, high-quality research data, and multiple important secondary analyses
resulting in national presentations and awards. The specific aim of this application is to allow continuation of
ongoing MFMU Network protocols for up to four years beyond the end of the current funding cycle (31 March
2021). The Utah center has submitted 25 proposals to the Network Steering Committee, of which 15 have
been advanced to full protocol status. The Utah center is consistently among the leading Network centers for
screening, recruitment and data quality. Torri Metz MD has served as the Utah center PI since early 2019. In
addition to has numerous Network administrative responsibilities, she has worked tirelessly to ensure that the
University of Utah – Intermountain Healthcare collaboration continues to be mutually beneficial. Twenty-six
Board-Certified/Board Eligible MFM Division faculty plus 6 MFM Fellows provide 24/7/365 coverage for the 5
participating Utah hospitals. The 5 participating hospitals represent ~18,000 deliveries per year (40% of the
deliveries in the State of Utah). The population recruited into MFMU Network studies over the previous 25
years is representative of the population of the northern Utah urban corridor. Letters of support are provided
from the NICU Directors at all hospitals and representative statistics are also provided. The University of Utah
Developmental Assessment Center provides research follow-up for MFMU Network and Utah Neonatal
Research Network protocols. Long-standing functional data systems exist in all 5 participating hospitals.
Twenty-nine research personnel work on MFMU Network protocols in 5 hospitals and the offices of over 100
women’s health providers along the Utah urban corridor. These individuals are dedicated clinical researchers,
with a low turn-over rate. The University of Utah is enthusiastically committed to continued participation in the
NICHD MFMU Network, as confirmed by multiple letters of support.
The proven and continuing ability of Drs. Metz, Esplin and Varner to enlist wide-spread participation by
community obstetric providers and to attract/retain an excellent clinical research staff are major factors in the
success of the Utah site and will continue through the completion of ongoing Network protocols, should the
Utah center be selected for continued Network participation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10252369
- **Project number:** 2UG1HD034208-27
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Torri D Metz
- **Activity code:** UG1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $269,150
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1996-05-01 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10252369

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10252369, MFMU Network Protocols (2UG1HD034208-27). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10252369. Licensed CC0.

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