Fetal Oedema and Lymphatic Disorders (FOLD)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Investigation into the aetiology and genetics of fetal oedema/hydrops with a focus on lymphatic related hydrops
IRAS ID
259711
Contact name
Sahar Mansour
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St Georges University NHS foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Fetal hydrops (FH), the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the fetus, is an important cause of fetal loss, with a perinatal mortality of approximately 60%. Rhesus incompatibility as a cause of immune FH, is now rare in the UK. The two most commonly affected systems giving rise to non-immune FH are cardiovascular (20%) and lymphatic (15%). In 20 %, the cause is still unknown. To better understand the aetiology of FH, a retrospective and prospective study of cases in five Fetal Medicine Centres will be undertaken. Accurate incidence statistics and sub-classification of FH by cause, according to strict inclusion/exclusion criteria, over 5 years will be produced. Analysis of genomic data from DNA submitted to e.g. the 100,000 Genomes Project will identify existing causal genes and discover novel gene candidates for FH. The project will advance our understanding of the causes of non-immune FH and enable us to improve outcomes for affected families, particularly those with recurrent FH.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EM/0038
Date of REC Opinion
29 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion