Key Terms & Definitions
PLATIPUS uses family-centred language that is intended to be inclusive of all pregnancies at risk of preterm birth and/or affected by preterm birth.
The term ‘woman’ is used throughout this website to refer to the person who is pregnant and gives birth. We recognise that some pregnant and birthing people are transgender and gender diverse.
The term ‘maternal’ is also used throughout this website referring to the health and wellbeing of the person who is pregnant, gives birth and in the postnatal period. We acknowledge that not all individuals who become pregnant and give birth identify as a ‘mother’.
The term ‘parent’ is used to refer to mothers, fathers, partners and those individuals who identify themselves as parents. The term ‘parent or guardian’ may be used in this website and study documents, as well as when contacting parents or guardians for trial activities or follow-up.
The term ‘fetus’ is used to refer to babies in utero, during pregnancy. The use of ‘fetus’ is used to resemble language used in pregnancy care.
‘Infant’ refers to babies in the first days and months following birth.
‘Health care professional’ relates to all those working within pregnancy and neonatal care.
The terms on this website are written and described in English. We acknowledge that families may use other terms and describe them differently in their language or culture.
Adaptive platform trial
A trial design that:
1. allows multiple therapies within one or more domains, across one or more subgroups of participants,
2. can be adapted throughout,
3. is governed by a Core (or ‘Master’) Protocol.
Domains
A research question or theme that compares a set of therapies that are used in the care of pregnant women at risk of preterm birth or in the care of babies born preterm to find out which therapy is best and can be recommended for wide use.
Intervention (or therapies)
Interventions or therapies may be medicines, procedures or other things used in pregnancy or early-life healthcare.
Pregnancy domains
Pregnancy domains will assess interventions (or therapies) that are used in the care of pregnant women at risk of preterm birth.
Neonatal domains
Neonatal domains will assess interventions (or therapies) used in caring for babies born preterm.
Randomisation
Randomisation relates to the random allocation of a person to receive one of the interventions (or therapies) being compared with other/s in each domain.
Core protocol
The core protocol is sometimes called a ‘master protocol’. It provides the framework for the trial.
Ordinal outcomes
The primary outcome for PLATIPUS is measured using an ordinal outcome scale. The scale is a ranked list of health outcomes for preterm infants.
Perinatal
Perinatal refers to the time around pregnancy and birth.
