U-LOOP study - Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
U-LOOP study: UmbiLical cOrd abnOrmalities in the Prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes
IRAS ID
325718
Contact name
Ranjit Akolekar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Medway NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 16 days
Research summary
The purpose of the study is to investigate the contribution of umbilical cord (which is a tube of blood vessels connecting the baby to the placenta [afterbirth]) abnormalities in the prediction of pregnancy complications such as having a small baby, premature delivery, emergency caesarean section for fetal distress or in some rare cases fetal death. There are several studies which report that abnormalities of the placenta (afterbirth) are associated with these adverse outcomes but there is conflicting evidence from small studies about the contribution of umbilical cord in prediction of these pregnancy complications. It is important to investigate this as not all mothers who have these complications have a problem with their placenta suggesting that there are other factors, such as those related to the umbilical cord, that are also associated with these poor pregnancy outcomes. More importantly, it is necessary to examine, whether these umbilical cord abnormalities can be effectively identified during ultrasound scans that are routinely carried out during the pregnancy and whether prenatal diagnosis of umbilical cord abnormalities can allow better management of the pregnancy to potentially prevent these complications. Our study proposes that certain specific measurements of the size of the blood vessels in the umbilical cord such as area, diameter and amount of blood flow should provide valuable information, which can then be co-related with specific pregnancy outcomes to understand if there is an association. These measurements would be taken at standard ultrasound appointments that are routinely offered to mothers during their pregnancy and that these measurements should not require any more than a few minutes during their scan with no adverse impact to the mother, the baby or the care they receive.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NE/0129
Date of REC Opinion
8 Aug 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion