Haemodynamic and H2S in preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Correlation of Hydrogen Sulphide Levels with Maternal Haemodynamic Changes in Pre-eclampsia and Fetal Growth Restriction
IRAS ID
343739
Contact name
Ashwini Bilagi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 30 days
Research summary
When a woman gets pregnant, it places a huge stress on her heart. Usually, the body adapts to assist the developing baby. Nonetheless, this adjustment may go wrong, resulting in life-threatening conditions such as preeclampsia (a form of hypertensive disorder in pregnancy) or ineffective fetal growth known as fetal growth restriction (FGR). Women who had preeclampsia stay at higher risk of heart disease later in life as it does not go away after birth. Scientists think the issue might be linked to a natural substance called hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) which helps protect the heart and blood vessels. H₂S is produced by an enzyme called CSE, but CSE levels drop drop in pre-eclampsia. This could make the body less able to adjust to pregnancy, causing complications
The aim of the study is to understand how heart and blood vessel problems in pregnancy cause pre-eclampsia in high-risk women. The researchers will also study if increasing levels of CSE could prevent it If we can show that CSE is really important, this could lead to new treatments to help protect mothers and babies during pregnancy, and maybe even reduce the chances of heart disease later on in life.REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/SC/0100
Date of REC Opinion
30 Apr 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion