CURLI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Coiling of the Umbilical cord in pRegnancy and LIfelong health (CURLI)
IRAS ID
357776
Contact name
Kahyee Hor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study aims to further our understanding of how the placenta and umbilical cord develop, and to develop new ways of identifying abnormalities in these structures during pregnancy.
We know that abnormal patterns of placental vascular remodelling, and differences in umbilical cord structure (including hyper-coiling and hypo-coiling) are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and stillbirth. However we currently have no good ways of studying placenta and umbilical cord structure, and identifying potential abnormalities, before a baby is born.
In this study, we will be using advanced ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to build up a picture of placental and umbilical cord structure and function throughout gestation. We will recruit pregnant women with healthy pregnancies and those who have been diagnosed with complications such as pre-eclampsia or fetal growth restriction.
Pregnant participants will be recruited at any point from 12+0 weeks' gestation up until delivery. The first study visit can occur at any gestation after 13 completed weeks. When recruited before 30 weeks' gestation, participants will be invited to up to 2 additional follow-up visits. The initial and follow-up visits will be at least 8 weeks apart from each other. If recruited after 30 weeks' gestation, participants will be invited to a single study visit only. Each study visit will involve obtaining blood samples for markers of placental health, ultrasound and MRI imaging.
We will seek consent from participants to collect placental and umbilical cord samples at birth so that we can examine these in detail and compare tissue properties to features detected in antenatal imaging.
We will analyse our imaging data to assess how the structures of the placental and umbilical cord structure change throughout pregnancy. We will seek to relate these changes to blood biomarkers of placental function, and to identify differences between healthy and complicated pregnancies.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
25/NS/0136
Date of REC Opinion
22 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion