Intergrowth - 21st
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The International Fetal and Newborn Growth Consortium for the 21st Century\n(Intergrowth-21st)
IRAS ID
5748
Contact name
Jose Villar
Contact email
Research summary
1. Using the existing INTERGROWTH-21st data collection forms, the At least 60% of the 4 million neonatal deaths that occur worldwide every year are associated with low birth weight (LBW), caused by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and/or preterm delivery, demonstrating that under-nutrition is a leading health problem at birth. Traditionally, fetal growth has been assessed by measurement of the height of the uterus in pregnancy. In the developed world and in urban areas in most developing countries, especially if complications are suspected, fetal growth is assessed by comparing ultrasound measurements of fetal size with reference charts obtained from fetuses whose growth was assumed to be normal. Unfortunately, most of the ultrasound charts of size by gestational age were obtained from very small populations of fetuses in the USA or Europe, and may not be appropriate for use internationally. These limitations have generated considerable concern regarding the value of ultrasound in clinical care, as well as when newborn standards are used to determine the health status of populations or to monitor trends and progress in reducing under-nutrition.The primary objective of this study is to produce a set of international Fetal and Newborn Growth Standards (fetal growth, birth weight for gestational age and postnatal growth of preterm infants) for practical applications in clinical use and for monitoring trends in populations. We will relate the new growth standards to reduce death and severe disability in newborns.The secondary objectives are:a)Clinical: to develop a prediction model, based on multiple 2-dimensional (2D) ultrasound measurements, for estimating gestational age during mid-late pregnancy for use in populations of pregnant women without access to early/frequent antenatal care.b)Epidemiological: to investigate in this multi-ethnic sample the causes of LBW and its components (preterm delivery, impaired fetal growth) under current healthcare conditions.c)Biological: to acquire additional 3-dimensional (3D) images to create an anatomical and growth databank of individual fetal organs as a unique source of biological information for future research. [COVID-19 amendment 12/05/2020] 1. Using the existing INTERGROWTH-21st data collection forms, the researchers would like to compare routinely collected clinical information from women exposed or not exposed (1:2 ratio) to SARS-CoV-2 at any stage of pregnancy. \n2. Non substantial amendment number 12 halted recruitment at the JR hospital (all studies asked to stop for COVID) and the researchers now wish to begin recruitment again.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
08/H0606/139
Date of REC Opinion
9 Dec 2008
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion