I-TEST-M Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
I-TEST-M: Modelling Retina-Placental Interactions in Pregnancy
IRAS ID
339302
Contact name
Kathryn Hunt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study aims to further our understanding of why pregnancy complications, including pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction and stillbirth, develop. We currently identify women who may be at risk of these problems using blood tests, ultrasound scans and blood pressure measurements; however, we know these assessments do not provide a complete picture.
During pregnancy, there are dramatic changes in the structure and function of blood vessels throughout the body. Our research team is currently carrying out a study (I-TEST) to investigate whether taking pictures of blood vessels in the back of the eye using specialised cameras (retinal imaging) can reveal changes that are linked to the development of pregnancy complications.
In this new study (I-TEST-M), we will gather additional information using simple, quick, non-invasive tests which measure blood flows and the "stiffness" of blood vessels at different locations throughout the body. This will help us understand how structural changes in the blood vessels in the back of the eye are related to changes in blood vessels elsewhere. It will also indicate whether monitoring changes in blood vessels and flows could be a new way of identifying and monitoring those at risk of pregnancy complications.
We will be recruiting pregnant women who are already participating in the I-TEST study. They will be invited to study visits either at fortnightly intervals in late pregnancy (after 34 weeks), or at three time points in pregnancy (around 12, 28 and 36 weeks) and 6 weeks after birth. We will also ask to collect a urine sample at each study visit to measure protein levels.
We will analyse the data to assess how measurements of blood flows and blood vessel stiffness change throughout pregnancy. We will also look for differences in these measurements between women with healthy pregnancies compared with those affected by pregnancy complications.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0218
Date of REC Opinion
18 Mar 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion