BP & fetal growth patterns in a multi-ethnic pregnancy cohort.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The BEGOTTEN Study: Patterns of fetal growth and maternal blood pressure and pregnancy outcomes. A prospective cohort study in a multi-ethnic population in East London
IRAS ID
307269
Contact name
Stamatina Iliodromiti
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University of London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
B1262FI0152822, Unique Market Reference:
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Blood pressure (BP) problems in pregnancy i.e. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are associated with poor growth of the unborn baby i.e. fetal growth restriction (FGR). HDP and FGR are amongst the most important reasons why well-formed babies die, are born early or in poor conditions. HDP and FGR are more common and more severe in pregnant persons of minority ethnic groups.
Recent research has shown that BP and baby’s growth patterns in pregnancy may vary amongst ethnicities. However, most studies on HDP/FGR have been conducted in pregnant persons of white ethnicity and the cut-offs we use to diagnose/treat these conditions are based on this data. Those of minority ethnic groups may suffer more problems related to HDP/FGR because the cut-offs we use are inappropriate for them, thus diagnosis/treatments may be delayed.
This research aims to study maternal BP and baby’s growth patterns during pregnancy and define values of BP and fetal growth associated with increased risk of HDP/FGR in those of minority ethnic groups.
Pregnant persons booked in our hospital (>60% ethnic minority groups), with no new/known BP problems, and expecting one healthy baby, will be offered to take part in our study. The study will involve routine BP measurements, body-weight measurements, additional blood, urine tests and one extra ultrasound scan at 32 weeks, in addition to the routine 20 and 36 weeks scans.
Data on mothers’ BP, babies’ growth inside the womb and any mothers’ and/or babies’ problems during pregnancy and/or after birth will be collected and analysed to understand how BP and growth patterns can affect mothers' and babies' health.
The study will be one of the largest to focus on BP and fetal growth patterns in an ethnic minority community; aiming to address inequality in prenatal care and improve pregnancy outcomes for pregnant persons of minority ethnic groups.REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/PR/0060
Date of REC Opinion
3 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion