Predicting the risk of pre-eclampsia (PREDICT).
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Clinical utility of 3D power Doppler ultrasound and maternal biomarkers in the prediction of pre-eclampsia in high risk pregnancies.
IRAS ID
157346
Contact name
Ian/S Young
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Research summary
For mothers with underlying health problems, pregnancy can be a worrying time. Women with diabetes, high blood pressure, bleeding or clotting disorders, lupus or kidney disease are at high risk of developing a condition called pre-eclampsia. Mothers who are obese at the start of pregnancy are also at higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia leads to high blood pressure and protein in the urine usually in the second half of pregnancy (after 20 weeks) or soon after delivery. Development of pre-eclampsia can have lasting effects for the health of both mum and baby, including, pre-term delivery, low birth weight, stillbirth, or admission of the baby to the neonatal unit. To help identify which pregnant women are most at risk of developing complications we propose a study following women with health problems throughout their pregnancies. We hope to recruit women at the antenatal clinic during their booking appointment (up to 14 weeks of pregnancy). We will offer women the opportunity to have their bloods tested and to have additional scans of the baby to try and pick up problems earlier in pregnancy. Taking part in the study will involve a supplementary blood test and an additional 3D scan at booking and again at around 20 weeks gestation. This research will help us to establish procedures to identify early in pregnancy those women who may be at higher risk of pre-eclampsia. Ultimately, in the long-term, this research will allow us to ensure that women at risk of pre-eclampsia are identified early in pregnancy and receive more specialised care and monitoring during pregnancy.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
14/NI/1068
Date of REC Opinion
15 Sep 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion