MRI of the placenta and fetal growth
Research type
Research Study
Full title
MRI of the placenta and its relationship to fetal growth and development.
IRAS ID
260951
Contact name
Elspeth Whitby
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 3 months, 2 days
Research summary
The aim of the study is to use MRI of the placenta during pregnancy to evaluate placenta size and shape and also many pathological abnormalities seen in the placenta as a predictor of outcome.
Placental abnormalities are thought to cause small for dates babies, stillbirths, growth restriction, reduced brain size but there are no studies that have looked at MRI in terms of size, shape, surface attachment, volume and MR features, and the fetal outcome.
We will look at control patients and patients known to be at risk of adverse outcomes e.g. diabetic mothers, previous baby with adverse outcome, etc.
Each patient will attend for 2 MRI scans during pregnancy, these will take no more than 20 minutes each. The images will be used to collect data on the placenta in terms of appearance and size, shape, surface area of attachment, volume and any pathology. Patient demographics will be collected to allow matched controls to be sort. The outcome in terms of baby size, head size, gestational age at delivery and general health will be noted and the data analysed for any associations and predictive markers.REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1656
Date of REC Opinion
15 Nov 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion